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Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes17
Component Breakdown
闇=
門音
gate + sound
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of gate and sound. Darkness where gates are closed and no sound heard.
Symbolism
Darkness, secret, ignorance. Represents world without light and hidden facts.
Spiritual Meaning
Symbol of avidyā (ignorance), the mind's state covered by worldly desires. Yet teachings say only through darkness can one appreciate light's value.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Light illuminating the dark night
Words & Expressions
Proverbs & Idioms
闇夜に鉄砲
やみよにてっぽう
Shooting in the dark
Doing something blindly without a plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 闇 mean in Japanese?
闇 means get dark, gloom, disorder.
How do you read 闇?
On'yomi: アン、オン (AN, ON). Kun'yomi: やみ、くら.い (yami, kurai).
How many strokes does 闇 have?
闇 has 17 strokes. Its radical is 門 (gate).
Is 闇 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 闇 (get dark, gloom, disorder) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for gloom · kanji for disorder