The kanji 灰 primarily represents "ash" or "gray." This refers to the residue left after something is burned, or the color resembling ash. It evokes images of destruction, remnants, and neutrality.

・On-yomi (音読み): かい (kai) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): はい (hai)

⚫︎ 灰皿 Translation: ashtray ⚫︎ 灰色の空 Translation: gray sky ⚫︎ 火山灰 Translation: volcanic ash

The kanji 灰 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound. The top part, 𡘋, is a simplified form of 火 (fire), and represents the meaning. The bottom part, 灰, is a phonetic component, indicating the sound. Therefore, the kanji's structure illustrates that the substance is related to fire and burning.