Mnemonic
A grove of sacred trees stands over a pit of fire rising from below. Priests deliberately burn the wood as a ritual offering, letting the flames climb through every trunk and branch of the grove until only ash and smoke drift skyward.
Additional thoughts
The kanji literally stacks grove (林) on top of fire (火). Visualize flames licking upward from underneath a cluster of trees — roots catching first, then the whole grove consumed. This purposeful, ritualistic image matches the kanji's connotation of deliberate burning.Quick recall
Fire rises beneath a grove — priests burn the sacred wood as offering.Details
The keyword for 焚 is burn. This kanji represents the act of setting fire to something and letting it be consumed by flames, often referring to burning wood or other materials in a deliberate manner. It carries connotations of ritual or purposeful burning, such as burning incense, cremation, or burning offerings, rather than accidental fire. The character evokes the image of trees or wood being engulfed by fire from below.
- On'yomi
- ふん、ほん、はん
- Kun'yomi
- た.く、や.く、やきがり