東

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east

On-Yomi: トウ — Kun-Yomi: ひがし

Elements:

east, sun, day, tree, wood

Heisig story:

As a "Western" language, English identifies the east with the rising sun. In more fanciful terms, we see the sun piercing through a tree as it rises in the east.

Heisig comment:

* Both the direction east and the part of the world called "the East" are primitive meanings of this character.

Koohii stories:

1) [Raichu] 8-1-2006(182): Traditionally seen as a pictograph of the sun rising behind a tree.

2) [lifeflaw] 7-12-2008(15): Through the trees, I watch the sun rising from the east.

3) [g33kette] 6-3-2008(11): To the east, you'll notice a rather large tree growing in the middle of that ricefield.

4) [saleem] 27-3-2008(6): Imagine that hugely symbolic Japanese SUN piercing through a TREE as it sets on Tokyo ( 東京 ), the EASTern capital . (with thanks to AndamanIslander, just found it easier to remember this version).

5) [hornlo] 28-5-2011(4): [ east = tree overlay sun ] - look east and you can see the sun rising through the upper branches of the trees : (east [dir]; the East [region]).

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