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祖
On'yomi
ソ
SO
ancestor · pioneer · founder
Details
Strokes9
Frequency#1226
Radical示show(5)
Stroke Order
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Strokes9
Component Breakdown
祖=
礻且
spirit + 且
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of altar and moreover. Worshipping at altar.
Symbolism
Ancestor, grandparents, forebears. Represents ancestor.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents respect and memorial for ancestors - ancestor worship is important pillar of Japanese spiritual culture.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
先祖伝来
せんぞでんらい
inherited; family (heirloom); ancestral; inherited
祖先崇拝
そせんすうはい
ancestor worship; ancestor worship
祖先伝来
そせんでんらい
hereditary; hereditary
父祖伝来
ふそでんらい
hereditary; patrimonial; handed down from generation to generation; hereditary
祖先の霊
そせんのれい
Spirits of ancestors; The souls of forebears