蛇
snake · serpent · hard drinker
Details
Description
Snake - the creature that sheds its skin, standing for renewal, and for things best not disturbed.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of insect and it. Insect-like creature.
Symbolism
Snake, serpent, shedding. Animal representing rebirth.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Snake crawling
Component Breakdown
insect + 它
Words & Expressions
Words written with 蛇
Four-Character Compounds
竜頭蛇尾
りゅうとうだび
strong beginning and weak ending; anticlimax
蜿蜿長蛇
えんえんちょうだ
long and serpentine (line, queue, etc.)
画蛇添足
がだてんそく
making an unnecessary addition (to); gilding the lily
牛鬼蛇神
ぎゅうきだしん
wicked and perverse; weird and incoherent
打草驚蛇
だそうきょうだ
prodding the unknown may bring about unnecessary trouble; brushing a patch of grass may startle a snake
Proverbs & Idioms
蛇の道は蛇
じゃのみちはへび
Only a snake knows the snake's path
It takes one to know one
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 蛇 mean in Japanese?
蛇 means snake, serpent, hard drinker. Snake - the creature that sheds its skin, standing for renewal, and for things best not disturbed.
How do you read 蛇?
On'yomi: ジャ、ダ、イ、ヤ (JA, DA, I, YA). Kun'yomi: へび (hebi).
How many strokes does 蛇 have?
蛇 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 虫 (insect).
Is 蛇 a good kanji for a tattoo?
蛇 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means snake, serpent, hard drinker. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:snake