The kanji 卯 represents the fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac, corresponding to the rabbit. It is often associated with the direction East, and the hours of 5-7 AM. The character also carries connotations of springtime, new beginnings, and gentleness, much like the animal it represents.

・On-yomi (音読み): ボウ (bō) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): う (u)

⚫︎ 卯年 (うどし) Translation: The Year of the Rabbit. ⚫︎ 卯月 (うづき) Translation: The fourth month of the lunar calendar (typically April). ⚫︎ 卯の方角 (うのほうこう) Translation: The direction East (specifically the direction associated with the Rabbit).

The kanji 卯 is an ideogram. It is pictographic in origin, originally depicting the form of a rabbit or its characteristics, such as the open mouth or two ears. Over time, the image was simplified to its current form. The association with the rabbit comes from its place in the zodiac, and the character's meaning thus became linked to the animal.