Japanese Symbol for
虎tora
tiger · fierce · powerful
Readings
Meaning
Tiger. 虎 (tora) is one of the twelve animals of the East Asian zodiac. Tigers don't naturally inhabit Japan, but they appear extensively in Japanese art, folklore, and idioms as symbols of fierce strength and courage.
Example words
虎年
tora-doshi
Year of the Tiger
虎の穴
tora no ana
tiger's den (dangerous place)
虎視眈々
koshi-tantan
watching and waiting for a chance (tiger-eyed)
竜虎
ryūko
dragon and tiger (two great rivals)
虎の子
tora no ko
tiger cub / prized possession
張り子の虎
hariko no tora
papier-mâché tiger (all show, no substance)
虎 (tora) pairs with 龍 (ryū — dragon) in the classic artistic motif 竜虎 (ryūko — dragon and tiger), representing two equally matched powers. In Japanese idiom, 虎の子 (tora no ko — tiger cub) means a prized, carefully guarded possession — because tigers protect their cubs so fiercely.
Hiragana and katakana are the keys to reading Japanese. Our free trainers get them locked in fast.