Japanese Word for
天使tenshi
angel · heaven's messenger
Readings
Meaning
Angel, heaven's messenger. 天使 literally means "heaven's envoy." In native Japanese tradition the equivalent is 天女 (tennyo — heavenly maiden), a celestial being who descends wearing a feather robe (羽衣 — hagoromo).
Example words
天国
tengoku
heaven, paradise
天女
tennyo
heavenly maiden (native angel)
守護天使
shugo tenshi
guardian angel
天使の羽
tenshi no hane
angel wings
See Japanese Symbol for Angel for the full reference including the legend of 羽衣 (Hagoromo — the feather robe). In modern Japanese, 天使 is also used colloquially to describe a very sweet or pure person — "she's an angel!"
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