Kanji Symbol for Moon: Origins, Meaning, and Writing Guide

 The Origin of Moon in Kanji Symbol

The kanji symbol for the formation of the moon is derived from the shape of the crescent moon.

The moon is a pathfinder, but it is shaped like a crescent to distinguish it from the round shape of the day”日” (sun 太陽).

◆月

Hiragana Reading (Onyomi): Getsu, Gatsu

Hiragana Reading (Kunyomi): Tsuki

 

 

 Stroke order of the Kanji symbol for Moon

The first stroke goes straight down, then changes direction to the left diagonally down and flips out.

From the starting point of the second stroke, move shortly upward at a slight angle to the right, stop once, continue straight down, and stop again. Then leap diagonally up to the left.

The third stroke goes diagonally up to the right and stops.

The fourth stroke goes diagonally up to the right and stops as in the third stroke.

There are many points to note, but the most important one is that the entire stroke should be drawn vertically.

 

 Moon in Kanji written with a Japanese brush

 

 

 Kanji Compound Words Containing ‘月’ (Moon)

◆月影【Tsukikage / Getsei】

Hiragana Reading: つきかげ / げつえい
Meaning: The light of the moon, the appearance of the moon, or the figure of a person or object illuminated by moonlight.

 

◆薄月【Usuzuki】

Hiragana Reading: うすづき
Meaning: The moon as it appears faintly shining through thin clouds.

 

◆弄月【Rougetsu】

Hiragana Reading: ろうげつ
Meaning: Enjoying the sight of the moon.

 

◆月華【Gekka】

Hiragana Reading: げっか 
Meaning: The light of the moon, or the moon and flowers.

 

◆月桂【Gekkei】

Hiragana Reading: げっけい
Meaning: A tree believed to grow on the moon, or moonlight.

 

◆月光【Gekkou】

Hiragana Reading: げっこう
Meaning: The light of the moon.

 

◆望月【Mochizuki】

Hiragana Reading: もちづき 
Meaning: The moon on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar.

 

◆初月【Hatsuzuki】

Hiragana Reading: はつづき
Meaning: The moon as it appears at the beginning of the month in the lunar calendar.

 

◆寒月【Kangetsu】

Hiragana Reading: かんげつ 
Meaning: The moon on a cold winter night.

 

◆風月【Fuugetsu】

Hiragana Reading: ふうげつ
Meaning: The pleasant wind and beautiful moon, or the beauty of nature.

 

◆月代【Tsukishiro】

Hiragana Reading: つきしろ 
Meaning: The eastern sky becoming brighter when the moon rises.

 

◆朧月【Oborozuki / Rougetsu】

Hiragana Reading: おぼろづき / ろうげつ 
Meaning: The moon as it appears on a spring night, dimmed by mist or haze.

 

◆海月【Kaigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: かいげつ 
Meaning: The moon as it appears over the sea, or its reflection on the water.

 

◆佳月【Kagetsu】

Hiragana Reading: かげつ 
Meaning: A good or fortunate moon.

 

◆暁月【Gyougetsu】

Hiragana Reading: ぎょうげつ 
Meaning: The moon at dawn or daybreak.

 

◆孤月【Zangetsu】

Hiragana Reading: ざんげつ 
Meaning: The moon that remains visible after dawn.

 

◆残月【Kogetsu】

Hiragana Reading: こげつ
Meaning: The moon appearing solitary.

 

◆霽月【Seigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: せいげつ 
Meaning: The moon that appears after rain has stopped.

 

◆淡月【Tangetsu】

Hiragana Reading: たんげつ 
Meaning: The moon as it appears faintly or dimly.

 

◆白月【Hakugetsu】

Hiragana Reading: はくげつ 
Meaning: The moon shining brightly with a white glow.

 

◆涼月【Ryougetsu】

Hiragana Reading: りょうげつ 
Meaning: Moonlight that gives a cool impression.

 

◆明月【Meigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: めいげつ 
Meaning: A clear, fully illuminated moon.

 

◆彎月【Wangetsu】

Hiragana Reading: わんげつ 
Meaning: The moon as it appears in a bow shape.

 

◆満月【Mangetsu】

Hiragana Reading: まんげつ 
Meaning: The moon when it appears fully round.

 

◆宵月【Yoidzuki】

Hiragana Reading: よいづき 
Meaning: The moon that is visible only for a short time after sunset.

 

◆水月【Suigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: すいげつ
Meaning: The moon as reflected on the surface of water.

 

 

 Four-Character Kanji Phrases Containing ‘月’ (Moon)

◆鏡花水月【Kyoukasuigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: きょうかすいげつ 
Meaning: An ephemeral illusion; something that can be seen but not grasped, like flowers reflected in a mirror or the moon reflecting on water.

 

◆嘯風弄月【Shoufuurougetsu】

Hiragana Reading: しょうふうろうげつ 
Meaning: Enjoying oneself by whistling in the wind and gazing at the moon.

 

◆清風明月【Seifuumeigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: せいふうめいげつ
Meaning: The tranquil and pure ambiance of a bright moonlit night.

 

◆一竿風月【Ikkannfuuggetsu】

Hiragana Reading: いっかんふうげつ 
Meaning: Holding a fishing rod and enjoying the elegance of nature, an analogy for a life detached from worldly affairs and being one with nature.

 

◆花鳥風月【Kachoufuugetsu】

Hiragana Reading: かちょうふうげつ 
Meaning: The beauty of nature, or appreciating arts like poetry and paintings that take inspiration from natural landscapes.

 

◆光風霽月【Koufuuseigetsu】

Hiragana Reading: こうふうせいげつ 
Meaning: Describing a heart or mind that is clear and refreshing without any disturbances.

 

◆春花秋月【Shunkashuugetsu】

Hiragana Reading: しゅんかしゅうげつ 
Meaning: The vibrant flowers of spring and the serene beauty of the autumn moon.

 

◆晴雲秋月【Seiunshuugetsu】

Hiragana Reading: せいうんしゅうげつ 
Meaning: Symbolizing a heart or mind that is untainted and transparent.

 

 

 Summary of Moon in Kanji

The kanji for “moon” (月) originates from ancient characters that represented celestial bodies.

Beyond its primary representation of the night sky, it also carries abstract meanings related to the passage of time, emotions, and change.

Through this article, we explored the profound history and diverse meanings of the moon kanji, as well as the correct way to write it.

Armed with this knowledge, readers can deeply appreciate the beauty and significance the symbol of the “moon” holds within Japanese writing and culture.

 Other Kanji Introduction

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Kanji Symbol for Fire

Kanji Symbol for Death

 

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