Japanese Symbol for
水mizu
water · fluid · Wednesday
Readings
Meaning
Water, fluid. 水 is one of the five classical elements (五行 — gogyō) alongside fire, wood, metal, and earth. The character depicts flowing water. It also names Wednesday — 水曜日 (suiyōbi, "water day").
Example words
水曜日
suiyōbi
Wednesday (water day)
水道
suidō
water supply, tap water
水泳
suiei
swimming
洪水
kōzui
flood
水墨画
suibokuga
ink wash painting
水面
suimen
water surface
水 (water) as a classical element represents adaptability, wisdom, and the ability to overcome obstacles by flowing around them. Japan's island geography means water is deeply embedded in the culture — from onsen (hot springs) to 水墨画 (suibokuga, ink-wash painting) to the concept of 流れ (nagare — flow) as a metaphor for life's passage.
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