Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of ear, mouth, and king. King who hears and speaks.
Symbolism
Saint, sacred, Bible. Represents holiness.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents sacred, pure, and sublime existence. Highest honorific for religious leaders and special figures.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
聖人君子
せいじんくんし
person of lofty virtue; man of noble character; perfect person
Proverbs & Idioms
聖人に二言なし
せいじんににごんなし
A sage never takes back his word
Great people never go back on their promises
Anime & Manga
七つの大罪 聖戦の予兆
The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of A Holy War
A well-known work with 聖 in its Japanese title.
東京リベンジャーズ 聖夜決戦編
Tokyo Revengers Season 2
A well-known work with 聖 in its Japanese title.
キミと僕の最後の戦場、あるいは世界が始まる聖戦
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
A well-known work with 聖 in its Japanese title.
片田舎のおっさん、剣聖になる
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman
A well-known work with 聖 in its Japanese title.
聖女の魔力は万能です
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent
A well-known work with 聖 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 聖 mean in Japanese?
聖 means holy, saint, sage, master, priest.
How do you read 聖?
On'yomi: セイ、ショウ (SEI, SHOU). Kun'yomi: ひじり (hijiri).
How many strokes does 聖 have?
聖 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 耳 (ear).
Is 聖 a good kanji for a tattoo?
聖 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means holy, saint, sage, master, priest. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.