亀
turtle, tortoise; "turtle" radical
Kanji 1985
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People universally associate turtles with slowness. The Japanese do, too, but they’ve taken turtle symbolism quite a bit further. They also see these ponderous animals as representing luck, longevity, wisdom, experience, divisiveness, ugliness, and sexual attractiveness! Ugliness and sexual attractiveness?! Quite a range! As if all that weren’t enough, 亀 is also a radical and a new addition to the Joyo set, as of 2010.
Revision history:
June 6, 2021:
- p. 2: Replaced the Henshall etymology.
- p. 9: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
Feb. 24, 2013: Fixed a link on page 3.
Aug. 24, 2012: Added two photos to page 14.
June 2, 2012: Added two photos to page 13.
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