川
Meaning: River
Readings
Onyomi: セン
Kunyomi: かわ
Visual Memory I:
This kanji represents a River. Think of yourself reading a map with each line as a straight ripple while the first slightly tapers off into another direction to flow into another body of water.
Visual Memory II:
In Genesis in chapter 2 it is recorded that four rivers came from the garden of Eden. The two straight lines can represent the Tigris and Euphrates River which are present today. Then we can think of the bent first stroke as either the Pishon or Gihon River – whose locations which are both debated to this day.
Example words with readings
Onyomi : 山川 [やまかわ] Mountains and rivers
Kunyomi: 堀川 [ほりかわ] Canal
Reflection
When you think of a river you may associate it with words such as rushing, fluid, wet, cold or simply blue. But think back to elementary school. In Ecclesiastes 1:7 we see the reference of rivers that flow along with other elements in nature that remain the same while people – generations themselves start and end.