Mnemonic
At the funeral, a small child refuses to leave the graveside. They kneel, whispering promises to their parents, returning each day with fresh flowers long after everyone else has moved on. This unwavering devotion of a child honoring their parents is true Filial Piety.
Additional thoughts
The funeral radical sits on top, pressing down onto the child radical below — picture a child bearing the weight of their parent's death on their shoulders, yet standing firm in devotion. Funeral + Child = lifelong honor.Quick recall
A child kneeling at a funeral, devoted beyond death — that is Filial Piety.Details
The keyword for 孝 is filial piety. This kanji represents the deep respect, devotion, and care that children are expected to show toward their parents and elders. Rooted in Confucian ethics, filial piety is considered one of the highest virtues in East Asian cultures, encompassing not only obedience and reverence during a parent's lifetime but also honoring their memory after death. It embodies the ideal of selfless dedication to one's family, particularly to those of the older generation.
- On'yomi
- こう、きょう