Japanese Symbol for

信仰

shinkō

faith · belief · devotion

Readings

  • 信 ONシンshin
  • 信 KUNまことmakoto (sincerity, faith)
  • 仰 ONギョウ・コウgyō / kō
  • 仰 KUNおお(せ)ōse (command, words of a superior)

Meaning

Faith, belief, creed, religious conviction. 信仰 is faith in a religious sense. 信 alone covers trust, reliance, and fidelity. Together with 仰 (to look up to, to revere), 信仰 means looking up to something with trust and devotion.

shin

honesty, trust, faith

信念

shinnen

belief, faith, conviction

信頼

shinrai

trust, confidence, faith

信心

shinjin

faith, devotion, godliness

信義

shingi

faith, fidelity, loyalty

確信

kakushin

conviction, certainty, firm belief

信 (shin) is one of the five Confucian virtues: 仁義礼智信 (jin-gi-rei-chi-shin — benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith/trustworthiness). Trustworthiness and keeping one's word are considered foundational virtues in Japanese culture.

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