Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Hemp + ghost
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of hemp and demon. Hemp-like demon.
Symbolism
Magic, devil, sorcery. Represents magic.
Spiritual Meaning
Personification of worldly desires in Buddhism. "Mara" is the force obstructing practice; "conquering Mara" means the spiritual battle to overcome it.
Anime & Manga
魔法少女まどか☆マギカ
Puella Magi Madoka Magica(2011)
Shocking work that subverted the 'magical' girl genre. Known for dark developments.
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ファイナルファンタジー
Final Fantasy(1987)
Developer: Square Enix
'Magic' is a core series element. Characterized by white magic, black magic, and other magical systems.
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Four-Character Compounds
寸善尺魔
すんぜんしゃくま
in evil, there is odds; there is more evil than good in this world; one good thing tends to cause many bad things to happen; in evil, there is odds
好事多魔
こうじたま
happy events are often accompanied by difficulties; unsullied joy is rare; happy events are often accompanied by difficulties
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 魔 mean in Japanese?
魔 means witch, demon, evil spirit.
How do you read 魔?
On'yomi: マ (MA).
How many strokes does 魔 have?
魔 has 21 strokes. Its radical is 鬼 (ghost).
Is 魔 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 魔 (witch, demon, evil spirit) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.