Japanese Symbol for

yuki

snow · winter · purity

Readings

  • ONセツsetsu
  • KUNゆきyuki

Meaning

Snow, snowfall. 雪 (yuki) is also a popular given name — evocative of purity, winter beauty, and a fresh start. The character combines 雨 (rain) with a component meaning to wipe or sweep clean.

雪景色

yukigeshiki

snowy landscape

大雪

ōyuki

heavy snowfall

初雪

hatsuyuki

first snow of the season

雪だるま

yukidaruma

snowman

雪女

yuki-onna

snow woman (spirit)

吹雪

fubuki

blizzard, snowstorm

雪女 (yuki-onna — snow woman) is one of Japan's most haunting folklore spirits — a beautiful, pale woman who appears to travelers in blizzards. Hokkaido and the Japan Sea coast receive some of the world's heaviest snowfall. Snow viewing (雪見 — yukimi) is a traditional winter pleasure, and many hot spring (温泉) experiences feature outdoor baths in falling snow.

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