Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of metal and child. Metal child.
Symbolism
Bell, alarm bell, bell tower. Represents bell.
Spiritual Meaning
Temple bells dispel worldly desires and guide to enlightenment. The 108 tolls on New Year's Eve represent the number of worldly desires.
Component Breakdown
metal + 童
Words & Expressions
Words written with 鐘
Proverbs & Idioms
鐘が鳴るまで
かねがなるまで
Until the bell rings
Until the end
Poetry
花の雲鐘は上野か浅草か
A cloud of blossom — is that bell Ueno, or Asakusa?
釣鐘にとまりて眠る胡蝶かな
A butterfly settled on the temple bell, asleep.
柿くへば鐘が鳴るなり法隆寺
As I bite the persimmon, the bell of Horyuji begins to ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鐘 mean in Japanese?
鐘 means bell, gong, chimes.
How do you read 鐘?
On'yomi: ショウ (SHOU). Kun'yomi: かね (kane).
How many strokes does 鐘 have?
鐘 has 20 strokes. Its radical is 金 (gold).
Is 鐘 a good kanji for a tattoo?
鐘 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means bell, gong, chimes. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.