KanjiJLPT N1
Lotus

Mnemonic

Walking through tall grass, you follow a winding path to a pond where a sunken car rests. From its roof, a single lotus rises—pure and radiant despite the wreckage below. The lotus proves beauty can emerge from anything, even rusted metal in murky water.
Additional thoughts
Picture the surreal scene: tall grass parting to reveal a path leading to a murky pond. A rusted car sits half-submerged, yet one pristine lotus flower blooms from its roof. The stark contrast between decay and purity makes this image stick.
Quick recall
Through grass along a path to a sunken car in a pond—a single lotus blooms from the wreckage.

Details

The keyword for 蓮 is lotus. This kanji refers to the lotus flower, a plant of profound cultural and spiritual significance throughout East Asia. The lotus grows in muddy water yet produces beautiful, pristine blossoms, making it a powerful symbol of purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening, particularly in Buddhism. It is also associated with summer and is commonly seen in ponds and temple gardens across Japan.
On'yomi
れん
Kun'yomi
はす、はちす