Japanese Symbol for
太陽taiyō
sun · solar · daylight
Readings
Meaning
Sun, the sun, solar. 太陽 is the formal word for the sun as a celestial body. 日 (hi / nichi) is the everyday word for both sun and day. Japan's name 日本 literally means "origin of the sun" (Land of the Rising Sun).
Example words
日本
Nihon / Nippon
Japan (origin of the sun)
日曜日
nichiyōbi
Sunday (sun day)
日光
nikkō
sunlight, also the city Nikkō
太陽神
taiyōshin
sun god
日の丸
hinomaru
the Japanese flag (circle of the sun)
天照
Amaterasu
goddess of the sun (Shinto)
天照大神 (Amaterasu Ōmikami — Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven) is the supreme deity of Shinto — the sun goddess from whom Japan's imperial family claims descent. Japan is called 日本 (Nihon/Nippon — "origin of the sun") because it lies to the east of China, where the sun rises. The flag 日の丸 (hinomaru — sun circle) depicts this solar identity.
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