空
empty · sky · void · vacant · vacuum
Details
Description
Sky/Emptiness - vast openness, Zen concept of void, freedom.
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Hole + work
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '穴' (hole) and '工' (empty). Empty space like a hole.
Symbolism
Sky, void, Buddhist concept of 'emptiness'. Represents infinite possibility.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents Buddhist concept of form is emptiness - ultimate truth that all things lack inherent existence.
Seasonal
The sky changes expression with seasons. Autumn sky's high clear blue, rainy season sky's heaviness—the sky symbolizes seasons.
Anime & Manga
天空の城ラピュタ
てんくうのしろらぴゅた
Castle in the Sky(1986)
Adventure fantasy seeking a castle floating in the sky
View on Amazon →ノーゲーム・ノーライフ
のーげーむ・のーらいふ
No Game No Life(2014)
Sibling protagonists 'Sora' and 'Shiro' dominate games
View on Amazon →ソードアート・オンライン
そーどあーと・おんらいん
Sword Art Online(2012)
Adventure in ALO world where you can fly in the sky
View on Amazon →Games
ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード
Zelda: Skyward Sword HD(2021)
Adventure begins from Skyloft floating in the sky
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
空前絶後
くうぜんぜつご
(so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last; (so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last
空中楼閣
くうちゅうろうかく
castle in the air; castle in the air
色即是空
しきそくぜくう
form is emptiness; matter is void; all is vanity; form is emptiness
天空海濶
てんくうかいかつ
the open sky and the serene sea; as open as the sky and serene as the sea; magnanimous; the open sky and the serene sea
徒手空拳
としゅくうけん
being empty-handed; being penniless; having no capital (for starting a business); being empty-handed
空即是色
くうそくぜしき
emptiness is form; illusion of the reality of matter; emptiness is form
空々漠々
くうくうばくばく
vast; boundless; wide and empty; vast
空理空論
くうりくうろん
impractical theory; academic discussion; doctrinairism; impractical theory
空々寂々
くうくうじゃくじゃく
deserted and lonesome; quiet and alone; innocent and nonattached; deserted and lonesome
史上空前
しじょうくうぜん
unprecedented in history; unheard-of; epoch-making; unprecedented in history
赤手空拳
せきしゅくうけん
barehanded; having no wealth or position to rely on (aside from one's own resourcefulness) (when embarking on something); barehanded
一切皆空
いっさいかいくう
matter is void; all is vanity; matter is void
天馬行空
てんばこうくう
unconstrained creativity; bold and imaginative; (like a) a heavenly steed soaring across the skies; unconstrained creativity
Proverbs & Idioms
空谷の跫音
くうこくのきょうおん
Footsteps in an empty valley
A rare and welcome visitor or event
Related Figures
空海
(くうかい)Founder of Shingon Buddhism whose name contains 'sky'
Known as Kobo Daishi. Founded Koyasan, also renowned for calligraphy