Common Symbols and Meanings in Japan

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Across
  1. 3. These statues protect Shinto shrines.
  2. 5. Perseverance and determination.
  3. 8. Because it bends in the strongest winds without breaking and stays green all year, it is a powerful symbol of resilience, flexibility, and good fortune.
  4. 9. This colour represents loving, kindness, peace, and healing.
  5. 10. The flower symbol of the Japanese imperial family.
  6. 14. The fleeting nature of beauty and life.
  7. 15. Longevity and good fortune.
  8. 17. This colour represents purity, emancipation, and the timelessness of Dharma (the Buddha's teachings).
  9. 18. This tree is a symbol of longevity, resilience, and good fortune
  10. 19. This colour represents achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune, and dignity.
Down
  1. 1. Used in offerings to the gods.
  2. 2. Strength and wisdom.
  3. 4. This colour is the essence of Buddhism.
  4. 6. Represents the god of rice and fertility.
  5. 7. Sacred messengers of the gods.
  6. 10. Completeness and the universe.
  7. 11. Purity and protection from evil spirits.
  8. 12. This animal is a powerful symbol of longevity, good fortune, wisdom, and financial prosperity.
  9. 13. A symbol of good luck and health.
  10. 14. The most important Shinto god.
  11. 16. This colour represents the path to enlightenment, and renunciation.
  12. 17. The Great _____ symbolizes the immense power of nature, the fragility of human life,
  13. 19. Because it moves by leaping forward without ever stepping back, this animal represents longevity, good luck, prosperity, and cleverness.