火
fire
Details
Description
Fire - primal element representing passion, destruction and rebirth.
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
八 + person
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.
Anime & Manga
炎炎ノ消防隊
えんえんのしょうぼうたい
Fire Force(2019)
Dark fantasy featuring fire-wielding ability users
View on Amazon →鬼滅の刃
きめつのやいば
Demon Slayer(2019)
Hinokami Kagura flame sword techniques are highlights
View on Amazon →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 →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
十字砲火
じゅうじほうか
cross fire; cross fire
電光石火
でんこうせっか
flash; instant; lightning (speed); flash
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; 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; 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
Poem #49 from Hyakunin Isshu
Related Figures
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