Japanese Symbol for
鷲washi
eagle · hawk · soaring power
Readings
Meaning
Eagle. 鷲 (washi) is a large eagle; 鷹 (taka) is a hawk or falcon. Both are symbols of power, sharp vision, and noble spirit in Japanese culture. Falconry (鷹狩り — takagari) was a samurai sport.
Example words
鷹狩り
takagari
falconry, hawking
鷲掴み
washizukami
eagle grip, seizing with both hands
鷹の目
taka no me
hawk eye, eagle eye, keen eye
猛禽
mōkin
bird of prey, raptor
白頭鷲
hakuto-washi
bald eagle
鷹揚
ōyō
magnanimous, composed (hawk's dignity)
初夢 (hatsuyume — first dream of New Year) in which you see 一富士二鷹三茄子 (ichi Fuji, ni taka, san nasu — first Fuji, second hawk, third eggplant) is considered the most auspicious possible dream. The hawk (鷹) in this triad represents ambition and achieving great heights — the bird that soars closest to the heavens.
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