Kanji for Honor Meaning & Symbolism

The kanji 名誉 (meiyo) means honor — honor and distinguished reputation. Kanji carry whole concepts in single characters, which is why 名誉 is popular in tattoos, art, and jewelry.

Origin & History

The Kanji for Honor (名誉) comes from Japanese writing adapted from Chinese characters (kanji), used since the 5th century. In Japanese calligraphy (shodō), writing 名誉 is itself a meditative act — the brushwork is believed to carry the writer’s state of mind into the character. Meditating on 名誉 is a traditional way to contemplate honor directly.

Spiritual Meaning

In Japanese calligraphy (shodō), writing 名誉 is itself a meditative act — the brushwork is believed to carry the writer’s state of mind into the character. Meditating on 名誉 is a traditional way to contemplate honor directly.

Modern Usage

Today 名誉 appears constantly in tattoos, jewelry, wall art, and fashion worldwide. One caution echoed by every expert: kanji tattoos should be verified with a native reader — 名誉 is authentic (meiyo), but lookalike mistakes are common.