Mnemonic
A woman in white approaches the altar. The cause of this grand gathering? Matrimony! Two families are being united as one. The cause brings the woman into a new household, forging bonds between clans that will last for generations.
Additional thoughts
Picture the woman walking toward the cause — the altar — which exists solely to seal matrimony. Cause (因) sits inside the kanji like the core reason for the ceremony: joining families.Quick recall
A woman at the altar — the cause is matrimony, uniting two families forever.Details
The keyword for 姻 is matrimony. This kanji refers to the formal bond of marriage, particularly emphasizing the relationship formed between families through a wedding union. It carries the sense of marriage as a social institution and the in-law connections that result from it, rather than romantic love. In classical usage, it often specifically denoted the relationship on the bride's side of the family.
- On'yomi
- いん