Japanese Symbol for

inochi

life · existence · destiny

Readings

  • ONメイ・ミョウmei / myō
  • KUNいのちinochi

Meaning

Life, existence, destiny, command. 命 (inochi) is the deeply personal word for life — the life force within a living being. It also means "fate" or "decree" in formal usage.

生命

seimei

life, existence (biological)

人生

jinsei

life, one's life journey

生活

seikatsu

living, daily life, livelihood

命がけ

inochigake

risking one's life

生き甲斐

ikigai

reason for living, purpose in life

命脈

meimyaku

thread of life, lifeline

生き甲斐 (ikigai) — "reason for being" — has become an internationally known Japanese concept. It describes the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Finding your ikigai is considered key to a long, fulfilling life.

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