Details
Description
Fire - primal element representing passion, destruction and rebirth.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Pictograph depicting flames rising upward.
Symbolism
Symbol of passion, energy, destruction and rebirth. Represents south and summer in Five Elements philosophy.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents power of purification and rebirth, symbol of spiritual cleansing burning away worldly desires in Buddhist fire rituals.
Component Breakdown
八 + person
Words & Expressions
Words written with 火
Four-Character Compounds
十字砲火
じゅうじほうか
cross fire
電光石火
でんこうせっか
flash; instant; lightning (speed)
風林火山
ふうりんかざん
as fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as daring as fire, and immovable as the mountain
新涼灯火
しんりょうとうか
the coolness of early autumn is suitable for reading
Proverbs & Idioms
火のない所に煙は立たぬ
ひのないところにけむりはたたぬ
Where there's no fire, there's no smoke
Rumors usually have some basis in truth
火中の栗を拾う
かちゅうのくりをひろう
To pull chestnuts from the fire
To take risks for someone else's benefit
対岸の火事
たいがんのかじ
A fire on the other shore
Someone else's problem; indifference to others' troubles
Poetry
みかきもり 衛士のたく火の 夜は燃え 昼は消えつつ 物をこそ思へ
Like the fire the palace guards keep, blazing at night and dying by day, so my thoughts burn and fade.
Anime & Manga
炎炎ノ消防隊
Fire Force
Dark fantasy featuring fire-wielding ability users
NARUTO
Naruto
'Hokage' and Uchiha clan's Fire Release are iconic
鬼滅の刃
Demon Slayer
Hinokami Kagura flame sword techniques are highlights
火垂るの墓
Grave of the Fireflies
A well-known work with 火 in its Japanese title.
蛍火の杜へ
Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light
A well-known work with 火 in its Japanese title.
Games
原神
Genshin Impact(2020)
Pyro characters 'Hu Tao' and 'Yoimiya' are popular
View on Amazon →モンスターハンターライズ: サンブレイク
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak(2022)
Features fire attribute weapons and fire-breathing monsters
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
明暦の大火
(めいれきのたいか)The 'Furisode Fire' that burned most of Edo
One of Edo's three great fires. Even Edo Castle keep was lost
種田山頭火
Name contains 火
Santōka Taneda was the pen-name of Shōichi Taneda , a Japanese author and haiku poet.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 火 mean in Japanese?
火 means fire. Fire - primal element representing passion, destruction and rebirth.
How do you read 火?
On'yomi: カ (KA). Kun'yomi: ひ、-び、ほ- (hi, bi, ho).
How many strokes does 火 have?
火 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 火 (fire).
Is 火 a good kanji for a tattoo?
火 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means fire. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:fire