遡
Mnemonic
A path winds along the river where a mountain flower floats on the water. Under the moon, you chase it — you go upstream, following the path against the current, tracing the mountain flower back to its moonlit source.
Additional thoughts
Picture a glowing flower drifting downstream at night. You refuse to let it go, fighting the current along the riverside path. The moon lights your way as you trace the flower back to where it first fell into the water.Quick recall
Chase a mountain flower down the path under the moon — go upstream to find its source.Details
The keyword for 遡 is go upstream. This kanji refers to the act of moving against the current of a river or stream, traveling in the direction opposite to the flow of water. By extension, it also carries the figurative meaning of tracing something back to its origin or source, such as going back in time to examine the roots of an event or idea. It conveys the sense of working against the natural direction of flow, whether literally in water or metaphorically through history.
- On'yomi
- そ、さく
- Kun'yomi
- さかのぼ.る