祖
ancestor · pioneer · founder
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 祖 mean in Japanese?
祖 means ancestor, pioneer, founder.
How do you read 祖?
On'yomi: ソ (SO).
How many strokes does 祖 have?
祖 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 示 (show).
Is 祖 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 祖 (ancestor, pioneer, founder) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.