Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of mountain and stern. Stern mountain rock.
Symbolism
Rock, solid, immovable. Represents unshakable strength.
Component Breakdown
mountain + 厳
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
枯木寒巌
こぼくかんがん
withered trees and frozen rocks; a person that is hard to approach
Proverbs & Idioms
巌の如く動ぜず
いわおのごとくどうぜず
Unmoved like a rock
Remaining steadfast regardless of circumstances
Anime & Manga
巌窟王
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
A well-known work with 巌 in its Japanese title.
天元突破グレンラガン 螺巌篇
Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars
A well-known work with 巌 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
大山巌
Name contains 巌
Prince Ōyama Iwao was a Japanese field marshal, and one of the founders of the Imperial Japanese Army.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 巌 mean in Japanese?
巌 means rock, crag, boulder.
How do you read 巌?
On'yomi: ガン (GAN). Kun'yomi: いわ、いわお、けわ.しい (iwa, iwao, kewashii).
How many strokes does 巌 have?
巌 has 20 strokes. Its radical is 山 (mountain).
Is 巌 a good kanji for a tattoo?
巌 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means rock, crag, boulder. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.