宝珠
hōju
The Japanese word for orb is 宝珠 (hōju).
宝珠 refers to a sacred orb. It is primarily used in religious, mythological or artistic contexts rather than in scientific or everyday descriptions of spheres.
Meaning: spherical body (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 宝 (treasure) and 珠 (jewel/bead), meaning 'sacred jewel' or 'sacred orb'.
How do you pronounce it?
hōju
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the 宝珠 is often associated with the dragon king, who possesses a wish-granting jewel capable of controlling the tides and the weather.
- The 宝珠 often appears atop Japanese pagodas and shrines as a decorative finial called a sōrin. It symbolizes the Buddhist wish for the enlightenment of all sentient beings.
- The 'wish-granting' quality of the 宝珠 means it is not just a decorative object but a symbol of an entity that can fulfill any desire.
Examples in context
- 明かりを消すと、部屋に静かな オーブ が浮かび上がった。When the light was turned off, a quiet orb floated up in the room.
- 彼は小さな手で まる をつかんで遊んでいます。He is playing by grabbing a circle with his small hands.
- その仏像は宝珠を手に持っています。Sono butsuzou wa houju o te ni motte imasu.That Buddha statue is holding a sacred orb in its hand.
- 宝珠がキラキラと輝いている。Houju ga kirakira to kagayaiteru.The jewel orb is sparkling.
- 伝説の宝珠を探す旅に出た。Densetsu no houju o sagasu tabi ni deta.I set out on a journey to find the legendary orb.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel they are reading.
- 結衣 Yuiこの物語に出てくる宝珠は何の力があるの？Kono monogatari ni detekuru houju wa nan no chikara ga aru no?What kind of power does the orb in this story have?
- 健太 Kenta結衣、それは世界を救う伝説の宝珠だよ。Yui, sore wa sekai o sukuu densetsu no houju da yo.Yui, that is a legendary orb that saves the world.
- 結衣 Yuiすごい、健太、もっと詳しく教えて！Sugoi, Kenta, motto kuwashiku oshiete!Amazing, Kenta, tell me more about it!
- 健太 Kenta実はその宝珠には秘密がたくさんあるんだ。Jitsu wa sono houju ni wa himitsu ga takusan aru nda.Actually, that orb has many secrets.
