Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of person and not. Not person.
Symbolism
Buddhism, Buddha statue, Buddha. Represents Buddha.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents enlightened being, symbolizing highest spiritual state in Buddhism. Worshipped as embodiment of compassion and wisdom.
Component Breakdown
person + 厶
Words & Expressions
Words written with 仏
Four-Character Compounds
廃仏毀釈
はいぶつきしゃく
abolish Buddhism, destroy Shākyamuni (slogan of anti-Buddhist movement at the beginning of the Meiji era)
多情仏心
たじょうぶっしん
fickle but kind-hearted
即身成仏
そくしんじょうぶつ
attainment of Buddhahood during life
念仏三昧
ねんぶつざんまい
being deep in prayer; praying devoutly to Amida Buddha
鬼面仏心
きめんぶっしん
having the face of a devil and the heart of Buddha; having a stern face but a tender heart
神仏混淆
しんぶつこんこう
synthesis of Shintoism and Buddhism
悉皆成仏
しっかいじょうぶつ
all things have the Buddha nature
借花献仏
しゃっかけんぶつ
winning favor or influence using someone else's property; plagiarism; presenting the Buddha with borrowed flowers
鬼手仏心
きしゅぶっしん
compassionate ruthlessness; merciless scalpel of a merciful surgeon; a demon's hand and a Buddha's heart
Proverbs & Idioms
仏の顔も三度
ほとけのかおもさんど
Even Buddha's face, only three times
Even the most patient person has limits
Poetry
糸瓜咲て痰のつまりし仏かな
The gourd flowers bloom, and here lies a buddha choked with phlegm.
Related Figures & Stories
阿仏尼
Name contains 仏
Abutsu-ni was a Japanese poet and nun. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Kuniko, later known as Empress Ankamon-in.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 仏 mean in Japanese?
仏 means Buddha, the dead, France.
How do you read 仏?
On'yomi: ブツ、フツ (BUTSU, FUTSU). Kun'yomi: ほとけ (hotoke).
How many strokes does 仏 have?
仏 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 人 (person).
Is 仏 a good kanji for a tattoo?
仏 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means Buddha, the dead, France. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.