The kanji 圭 primarily represents a specific type of jade or a jade tablet. It often refers to a ritual object or a symbol of high status and purity. The character also implies order, precision, and beauty, reflecting the inherent qualities of jade itself.

・On-yomi (音読み): ケイ (kei) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): None commonly used.

⚫︎ 圭角 (けいかく) Translation: Excellence; virtue; integrity. ⚫︎ 圭璧 (けいへき) Translation: Jade objects (specifically those used in rituals). ⚫︎ 圭田 (けいでん) Translation: A square or rectangular field.

The kanji 圭 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a compound ideogrammic-phonetic character. It is formed by combining the radical 土 (tsuchi, earth/ground) with the phonetic element 土 (tsuchi) repeated. The repetition of 土 originally represented the arrangement of earth/stone material, visually suggesting the shape and nature of jade. This reflects jade's origin and significance as a precious material carved from the earth.