禅
Zen · silent meditation
Details
Description
Zen - meditation, enlightenment, Buddhist philosophy.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of altar and single. Meditating with single mind.
Symbolism
Meditation, enlightenment, tranquility. Represents core of Zen Buddhism and inner peace.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents spiritual unity and path to enlightenment through seated meditation. Core concept of training toward selflessness.
Component Breakdown
Spirit + simple
Words & Expressions
Words written with 禅
Four-Character Compounds
以心伝心
いしんでんしん
Mind to mind transmission; Wordless communication of truth - core of Zen teaching
Anime & Manga
一休さん
Ikkyu-san
Anime about Zen monk Ikkyu Sojun
バガボンド
Vagabond
Depicts Miyamoto Musashi's path to enlightenment
Games
風ノ旅ビト
Journey
Art game providing Zen-like experience through wordless journey
View on Amazon →塊魂
Katamari Damacy
Unique game experience that clears the mind. Zen-like immersion
View on Amazon →Flower
Flower
Meditative game experience becoming a petal riding the wind
View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
What does 禅 mean in Japanese?
禅 means Zen, silent meditation. Zen - meditation, enlightenment, Buddhist philosophy.
How do you read 禅?
On'yomi: ゼン、セン (ZEN, SEN). Kun'yomi: しずか、ゆず.る (shizuka, yuzuru).
How many strokes does 禅 have?
禅 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 示 (show).
Is 禅 a good kanji for a tattoo?
禅 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means Zen, silent meditation. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:Zen