Details
Description
Eagle - the largest bird of prey in Japan, standing for far sight and command of the air.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
A phonetic element combined with the bird radical, for the eagle.
Symbolism
The power of seeing from above. Larger and wilder than the hawk in the Japanese imagination.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
鷲掴み
わしづかみ
Eagle grip; seize firmly
大鷲
おおわし
Great eagle; golden eagle
白頭鷲
はくとうわし
Bald eagle
鷲鼻
わしばな
Aquiline nose; hooked nose
Anime & Manga
鷲尾須美は勇者である
Washio Sumi is a Hero
The heroine's family name is Washio, written with this character — one of the few titles that carries it.
Related Figures & Stories
ナポレオン・ボナパルト
(なぽれおんぼなぱると)Chose the eagle as the emblem of his empire
At his coronation in 1804 he took the eagle as the emblem of his empire, after Rome. The gilt eagle given to each regiment was guarded more jealously than the flag it topped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鷲 mean in Japanese?
鷲 means eagle. Eagle - the largest bird of prey in Japan, standing for far sight and command of the air.
How do you read 鷲?
On'yomi: シュウ、ジュ (SHUU, JU). Kun'yomi: わし (washi).
How many strokes does 鷲 have?
鷲 has 23 strokes. Its radical is 鳥 (bird).
Is 鷲 a good kanji for a tattoo?
鷲 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means eagle. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
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