Japanese symbol for “lion”
獅子
しし
Romaji: shishi
lion
In Japanese, lion is 獅子, read しし (shishi).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n lion
- n left-hand (stone) guardian lion-dog at a Shinto shrine
Written forms: 獅子、師子. Readings: しし.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “lion”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ライオン | ライオン raion | lion (Panthera leo) |
| 獅子王 | ししおう shishiou | lion (king of beasts) |
| レオ | レオ reo | Leo (constellation); the Lion |
| しし座 | ししざ shishiza | Leo (constellation); the Lion |
| 獅子宮 | ししきゅう shishikyuu | Leo (5th zodiacal sign); the Lion |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 獅子王 | ししおう shishiou | lion (king of beasts) |
| 獅子奮迅 | ししふんじん shishifunjin | furious (energy, battle, etc.); frenzied (work, activity, etc.); ferocious |
| 唐獅子 | からじし karajishi | (mythical) Chinese lion; Chinese guardian lion |
| 獅子頭 | ししがしら shishigashira | lion mask |
| 獅子吼 | ししく shishiku | lion's roar; harangue |
| 子供 | こども kodomo | child; children |
| 女子 | じょし joshi | woman; girl |
| 女の子 | おんなのこ onnanoko | girl; daughter; baby girl |
See also: Chinese symbol for “lion”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.