Unique Japanese Symbols & Kanji Characters (with Meanings)

Japanese symbols are beautiful, striking, and steeped in history. In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of Japanese symbols, motifs, and emblems, along with their kanji characters and meanings. Whether you’re looking for tattoo inspiration or just want to deepen your appreciation for Japanese culture, keep reading for iconic cultural symbols for love, flowers, animals, and more.

Japanese Symbols & Their Meanings in English

An illustration of common Japanese symbols and their kanji characters

Japanese symbols, often written in kanji, include motifs like flowers, animals, and spiritual emblems. The most common symbols include the sun (日), the crane (鶴), the cherry blossom (桜), and the Red Torii Gate (鳥居).

Section 1 of 8:

The Most Common Kanji Characters

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Here are the most popular written symbols in Japanese. Kanji is one of three different writing systems in Japan, along with hiragana and katakana. They’re logographic characters, meaning they represent an idea or concept, and they’re used for nouns, verb roots, adjectives, and more. “Kanji involves over 3,000 characters,” according to language teacher Claire Wang.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Claire Wang
Language Teacher

Expert Interview} So, here are the most frequently used kanji and their meanings:^{[2]
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- 一 (one)
- 七 (seven)
- 万 (10,000)
- 三 (three)
- 上 (up, top)
- 下 (down, under)
- 不 (not, un-, in-)
- 中 (middle)
- 主 (main, master)
- 九 (nine)
- 事 (affair, matter)
- 二 (two)
- 五 (five)
- 京 (capital)
- 人 (human being, people)
- 今 (now)
- 代 (to substitute, generation)
- 会 (to meet)
- 体 (body)
- 保 (to maintain, to keep)
- 党 (political party)
- 入 (to enter)
- 全 (whole)
- 八 (eight)
- 六 (six)
- 内 (inside)
- 円 (yen)
- 出 (to go out)
- 分 (minute)
- 前 (before)
- 力 (power)
- 動 (to move)
- 北 (north)
- 十 (ten)
- 合 (to combine)
- 同 (same)
- 和 (harmonious, peace)
- 問 (question)
- 四 (four)
- 回 (to turn around, time)
- 国 (country)
- 地 (ground, place)
- 場 (place)
- 大 (big)
- 女 (woman)
- 男 (man)
- 子 (child)
- 学 (to study)
- 安 (inexpensive, peaceful)
- 定 (to fix)
- 実 (real)
- 家 (house)
- 対 (opposite)
- 小 (small)
- 山 (mountain)
- 市 (city)
- 年 (year)
- 度 (degree, time)
- 後 (after)
- 心 (heart)
- 思 (to think)
- 意 (mind, meaning)
- 手 (hand)
- 政 (government, politics)
- 文 (letter, writings)
- 新 (new)
- 方 (direction)
- 明 (bright, clear)
- 時 (time)
- 月 (moon, month)
- 本 (book)
- 東 (east)
- 正 (right, correct)
- 氏 (courtesy name, like Mr. or Mrs.)
- 民 (people, nation)
- 水 (water)
- 生 (life)
- 田 (rice field)
- 発 (to start, to emit)
- 目 (eye)
- 相 (phase, mutual)
- 県 (prefecture)
- 社 (company, society)
- 立 (to stand)
- 者 (person)
- 自 (oneself)
- 行 (to go)
- 表 (to express, surface)
- 見 (to see, to look)
- 言 (to say)
- 話 (to speak)
- 道 (way)
- 部 (section)
- 野 (field)
- 金 (money, gold)
- 長 (long)
- 開 (to open)
- 間 (interval, between)
- 高 (high, expensive)

Section 2 of 8:

Cultural Motifs & Figures

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These motifs and figures are often featured in Japanese folklore. From the beautiful bonsai tree to the adorable beckoning cat, Japan is full of rich cultural motifs and figures. Here are some common symbols, along with their kanji characters and meanings:^{[3]
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- Beckoning cat (招き猫 or Maneki-neko): A figure thought to bring good luck or fortune to the owner.
- Bonsai (盆栽): Symbolizes harmony and balance.
- Crane (鶴 or Tsuru): Represents longevity, good fortune, and fidelity.
- Dragon (竜 or Ryu): Symbolizes strength and wisdom.
- Gourd (瓢 or Hyō): Represents good luck and health, based on Taoist beliefs.
- Hina dolls (雛人形 or Hina ningyō): Represent the Heian Period’s imperial family and are displayed for Girls’ Day in March.
- Inome (猪目): A heart-shaped symbol that literally means “boar's eye,” used to ward off evil spirits.
- Koi Carp (鯉 or Koi): Represents perseverance and determination.
- Lion on the roof (獅子 or Shisa): Protects homes from evil spirits, especially in Okinawa.
- Okame (阿亀): A smiling woman bringing happiness and wealth.
- Owl Figure (梟 or Fukuro): Protects from hardship and symbolizes luck.
- Rice cakes (鏡餅 or Kagami mochi): Represent old and new generations, eaten on January 11th.
- Salt (塩 or Shio): Purity and protection from evil.
- Sun (日 or Hi/Nichi): The most important Shinto god, which symbolizes Japan as the “land of the rising sun.”
- Tanuki Statue (狸): Brings good luck, often depicted with a sake bottle for prosperity.
- Tomoe (巴): The three commas symbolizing earth, sky, and human, used in both Shinto and Buddhist contexts.
- Zen circle (円相 or Enso): Represents emptiness and the universe.

Section 3 of 8:

Common Symbols in Shinto Temples

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Shinto symbols are typically tied to nature, gods, and spirits. Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, emphasizes harmony with nature, purity, and living a balanced life. Here are some common symbols that represent these concepts and are found in temples and shrines:^{[4]
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- Candle (蝋燭 or Rōsocku): Smoke is believed to have healing properties in Shintoism.
- Deer (鹿 or Shika): Considered sacred messengers of the gods.
- Dog statues (狛犬 or Komainu): Lion-dog statues that guard the entrances of Shinto shrines.
- Red Torii Gate (鳥居): Marks the boundary between the sacred and the everyday, with red said to ward off evil spirits.
- Rice (米 or Kome): Symbolizes the Shinto religion and is used in offerings to the gods.
- Sake barrels (飾り樽 or Kazaridaru): Donated to Shinto shrines as symbols of unity between people and gods.
- Shide (紙垂): Zigzag-shaped paper streamers used by Shinto priests for purification.
- Shinto deity Inari (稲荷): Represents the god of rice and fertility.

Section 4 of 8:

Common Symbols in Buddhist Temples

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Buddhist symbols include the Manji, the Dharma Wheel, and the lotus flower. Roughly ⅔ of the Japanese population identifies as Buddhist.^{[5]
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Research source} Since the religion plays a major role in the country, here are some common Buddhist symbols you should be familiar with:
- Agyo and Ugyo (阿形 and 吽形): Statues at temple gates that protect against evil spirits and symbolize life and death.
- Dharma wheel (法輪 or Hōrin): A symbol of the Buddha’s teachings and the unending cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
- Fudou Myoo (不動明王 or Acala): Represents wisdom and the cutting of ignorance with his sword.
- Lotus flower (蓮 or Hasu): Represents purity and enlightenment, as it grows clean and beautiful even from muddy water.
- Manji (卍 or Swastika): A symbol of luck, prosperity, and the four directions or the course of time, not to be confused with the Western swastika.
- Pagoda (塔 or Tō): A multi-tiered tower found on larger temple grounds.
- Raijin and Fujin (雷神 and 風神): The gods of thunder and wind, embodying natural forces.
- Stone lanterns (灯籠 or Tōrō): Traditional offerings to Buddha, placed in temple gardens.
- Temple bell (梵 or Bonsho): A large bell placed in a bell tower.

Section 5 of 8:

Common Japanese Symbols for Love

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Ai, koi, and suki are the most common symbols of love. There are many ways to express love (and different levels of love) in Japanese. Here are the three main symbols, along with their kanji characters and meanings:^{[6]
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- 好き (Suki): Means “I like you,” used for casual or early relationships.
- 恋 (Koi): Means “the longing for a specific person,” used before a relationship is established.
- 愛 (Ai): Means “a deep, cherished love for family, friends, or even animals,” similar to saying “I love you.”

Section 6 of 8:

Common Japanese Symbols for Flowers

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Flowers are symbols used in art, cultural events, and ceremonies in Japan. Due to their connection to nature, flowers are highly symbolic and significant in Japan. They can express emotions, mark life events (like births and deaths), and convey cultural meanings in art.^{[7]
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Research source} Here are popular flowers and their meanings:
- 向日葵 (Himawari): Sunflower
- 朝顔 (Asagao): Morning glory
- 桜 (Sakura): Cherry blossom
- 梅 (Ume): Plum blossom
- 椿 (Tsubaki): Camellia
- 百合 (Yuri): Lily
- 紫陽花 (Ajisai): Hydrangea
- 菊 (Kiku): Chrysanthemum
- 菖蒲 (Ayame): Iris
- 薔薇 (Bara): Rose
- 藤 (Fuji): Wisteria

Section 7 of 8:

Common Japanese Symbols for Animals

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Japanese animals are sacred, legendary, and emblematic of the country. In Japan, animals are considered the messengers of Shinto or Buddhist deities, and are symbolic of the country as a whole. Here are some common animal symbols and their meanings:^{[8]
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- 兎 (Usagi): Rabbit
- 熊 (Kuma): Bear
- 牛 (Ushi): Cow
- 犬 (Inu): Dog
- 狐 (Kitsune): Fox
- 狼 (Ookami): Wolf
- 猫 (Neko): Cat
- 猿 (Saru): Monkey
- 羊 (Hitsuji): Sheep
- 虎 (Tora): Tiger
- 蛇 (Hebi): Snake
- 蛙 (Kaeru): Frog
- 豚 (Buta): Pig
- 象 (Zou): Elephant
- 馬 (Uma): Horse
- 魚 (Sakana): Fish
- 鳥 (Tori): Bird

Section 8 of 8:

Cool & Unique Japanese Symbols

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Expand your vocabulary with these cool and unique symbols. If you want to delve deeper into Japanese culture, the following symbols are full of meaning and history. Learn more about one to find something that aligns with your interests:^{[9]
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- 無 (Mu): Nothingness or emptiness
- 侘 (Wabi): Simplicity in imperfection
- 寂 (Sabi): Quiet loneliness
- 禅 (Zen): A mindful state
- 鬼 (Oni): Demon or ogre
- 和 (Wa): Harmony or peace
- 幽 (Yū): Subtle or mysterious
- 幸 (Kō/Sachi): Happiness or good fortune
- 人 (Hito): Person or human