On this page
What kanji are
Kanji are characters that came to Japan from China. Each one represents an idea or a word, not a single sound. Japanese uses thousands; the official list for everyday use (jōyō kanji) has 2,136.
Feelings and values
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 愛 | ai | love |
| 心 | kokoro | heart, mind |
| 夢 | yume | dream |
| 希望 | kibō | hope |
| 平和 | heiwa | peace |
| 自由 | jiyū | freedom |
| 幸せ | shiawase | happiness |
| 勇気 | yūki | courage |
| 永遠 | eien | eternity |
| 運命 | unmei | destiny |
Art and creativity
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 美 | bi | beauty |
| 美術 | bijutsu | fine art |
| 絵 | e | picture, painting |
| 書道 | shodō | calligraphy |
| 筆 | fude | brush |
| 墨 | sumi | ink |
| 色 | iro | color |
| 創造 | sōzō | creation |
Strength and spirit
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 力 | chikara | strength |
| 武 | bu | martial, warrior |
| 侍 | samurai | samurai |
| 剣 | ken | sword |
| 魂 | tamashii | soul |
| 龍 | ryū | dragon |
| 虎 | tora | tiger |
| 狼 | ōkami | wolf |
Nature
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 桜 | sakura | cherry blossom |
| 月 | tsuki | moon |
| 星 | hoshi | star |
| 空 | sora | sky |
| 海 | umi | sea |
| 火 | hi | fire |
| 水 | mizu | water |
| 風 | kaze | wind |
| 雪 | yuki | snow |
| 光 | hikari | light |
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Before you paint or tattoo kanji
- Confirm the meaning with a native speaker or teacher. Mistranslated kanji tattoos are common.
- Single kanji can have several meanings. 心 means heart, but also mind and spirit.
- Order matters. Compounds like 家族 (family) lose their sense if split.
- Stroke order matters in brush work. Learn it from a reliable source before painting.
- Preview first in tattoo fonts and bring the reference to your artist.
Questions artists ask
What is the kanji for love?
愛 (ai). There is also 恋 (koi), closer to romantic longing.
How many kanji are there?
Tens of thousands exist. For everyday life, Japan’s official list has 2,136 characters.
Can I tattoo a kanji from this page?
Use it as a reference, but confirm the meaning with a native speaker before tattooing.
Awais Ahmad
Founder and editor of Letras Bonitas Art. Builds the tools and writes the guides on this site for artists who letter on screens. How we review our pages.
