Details
Description
Light - illumination, hope, enlightenment.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of person holding fire aloft. Emitting light.
Symbolism
Light, hope, glory. '光' symbolizes divinity and guidance.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents Buddhas wisdom and salvation. Amida Buddhas radiance is spiritual guidance leading beings to Pure Land.
Component Breakdown
Small top + legs
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
電光石火
でんこうせっか
flash; instant; lightning (speed)
寂光浄土
じゃっこうじょうど
paradise
風光明媚
ふうこうめいび
scenic; beautiful; picturesque
光彩陸離
こうさいりくり
dazzling; brilliant
眼光紙背
がんこうしはい
reading between the lines
眼光炯々
がんこうけいけい
with shining, piercing eyes
和光同塵
わこうどうじん
mingling with the world by hiding one's true talent or knowledge; living a quiet life by effacing oneself
電光朝露
でんこうちょうろ
fleeting; evanescent
光風霽月
こうふうせいげつ
serenity
Proverbs & Idioms
光陰矢の如し
こういんやのごとし
Time flies like an arrow
Time passes with incredible speed
光るものは必ずしも金ならず
ひかるものはかならずしもきんならず
All that glitters is not gold
Appearances can be deceiving
Poetry
ひさかたの 光のどけき 春の日に しづ心なく 花の散るらむ
On a spring day when the light falls so gently, why should the blossoms scatter with such restless hearts?
Anime & Manga
ヒカルの碁
Hikaru no Go
Protagonist Hikaru's name means 'light'
デスノート
Death Note
Contrast of 'light and darkness' between L and Light
光が死んだ夏
The Summer Hikaru Died
Horror manga about a boy named 'Hikaru'
时光代理人
Link Click
A well-known work with 光 in its Japanese title.
七つの大罪 光に呪われし者たち
The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed by Light
A well-known work with 光 in its Japanese title.
Games
キングダムハーツ
Kingdom Hearts(2002)
Action RPG themed around battle of light and darkness
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
光明皇后
(こうみょうこうごう)Nara-period empress whose name means 'bright light'
Empress of Emperor Shomu. Devout Buddhist who devoted herself to welfare
光格天皇
Name contains 光
Emperor Kōkaku , personal name Morohito, was the 119th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Wikipedia明智光秀
Name contains 光
Akechi Mitsuhide , first called Jūbei from his clan and later Koretō Hyūga no Kami from his title, was a Japanese samurai general of the Sengoku…
Wikipedia霍光
Name contains 光
Huo Guang , courtesy name Zimeng , posthumous name Xuancheng , was a Chinese politician and imperial regent who served as the dominant state official…
Wikipedia陸奥宗光
Name contains 光
Count Mutsu Munemitsu was a Japanese diplomat and politician.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 光 mean in Japanese?
光 means light, ray, shine. Light - illumination, hope, enlightenment.
How do you read 光?
On'yomi: コウ (KOU). Kun'yomi: ひか.る、ひかり (hikaru, hikari).
How many strokes does 光 have?
光 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 儿 (legs).
Is 光 a good kanji for a tattoo?
光 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means light, ray, shine. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.