The Kanji: 母 (Haha/Bo) - The "Mother" Kanji
The kanji "母" is one of the most emotionally resonant and fundamental characters in Japanese. It directly and powerfully represents "mother." Its form is a beautiful and logical evolution from a pictogram that emphasizes the most defining physical characteristic of motherhood.
1. Meaning and Usage
Core Meaning: Mother.
Readings:
Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): はは (haha)
Used when referring to one's own mother in a humble or formal context. (e.g., これは私の母です。 - This is my mother.)
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ボ (bo)
Used in compounds. (e.g., 父母 - fubo - father and mother)
Common Words and Compounds:
母 (はは / haha) - (My) mother
お母さん (おかあさん / okāsan) - Mother (a polite, common, and affectionate term)
母親 (ははおや / hahaoya) - A mother (as a parent)
父母 (ふぼ / fubo) - Father and mother; parents
母国 (ぼこく / bokoku) - One's home country (Mother country)
2. Writing and Stroke Order: A Symbol of Nurturing
The correct kanji writing for "母" is more complex than "女" (woman) and requires careful attention to its internal strokes. Its stroke order is designed to build the character logically and stably.
Stroke Order:
Stroke 1: A left-falling stroke. (This is the first stroke of the basic "女" - woman).
Stroke 2: A short horizontal stroke. (The "arms" of the woman).
Stroke 3: A single, fluid stroke that starts from the top-right, sweeps down to form the right side, crosses over the first stroke, and ends with a long horizontal line. (This completes the base "女" shape).
Stroke 4: Two dots. These are written as two separate strokes:
First, the left dot.
Then, the right dot.
Significance of Correct Kanji Writing:
The Defining Feature: The two dots (Stroke 4) are the most crucial element. They are added to the basic character for "woman" (女) to highlight the breasts, symbolizing the mother's role in nurturing and feeding her child. This transforms "woman" into "mother."
Balance: The two dots must be placed symmetrically and high up on the character to maintain balance and clarity.
Foundation: Mastering the stroke order for the base character 女 is essential before adding the two dots to create 母.
3. Historical Origin and Evolution
The history of "母" is a clear and poignant example of a pictogram evolving to emphasize a specific, defining characteristic.
Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文字):
The earliest form was the character for "女" (woman), depicted as a kneeling figure. To create "mother," the ancient scribes added two prominent dots over the chest to represent breasts. This was not meant to be sexual but was a direct, biological identifier of a nursing mother—the nurturer.
Bronze Script (金文) & Seal Script (篆書):
The form became more stylized. The kneeling posture of the figure remained, and the two dots became standardized as an integral part of the character, forever linking the concept of "woman" to the specific function of "mother."
Modern Form (楷書):
The modern "母" has straightened the original curved lines of the kneeling woman, but the core composition remains unchanged. It is still fundamentally the character for 女 (woman), distinguished by the two dots that symbolize a mother's nourishing love. The character has successfully preserved its essential meaning for over 3,000 years.
Cultural and Emotional Connection:
In Japanese culture, "母" carries immense emotional weight. It represents the ultimate source of unconditional love, care, and life itself. This depth of feeling is reflected in the language:
母 (haha): A humble term used when speaking about your own mother to others.
お母さん (okāsan): A respectful and deeply affectionate term used when addressing your mother directly or referring to someone else's mother.
The character is the embodiment of the home and emotional security.
Summary
The kanji "母" is a character of profound simplicity and emotional power. It began as a direct pictorial modification of "woman," adding the defining feature of breasts to represent the nurturing mother. Mastering its stroke order is a fundamental step in Japanese kanji writing, as it beautifully demonstrates how the language builds complex meanings from simple components. When you learn how to write kanji like "母," you are not just learning a word for "mother"; you are learning a character that has, for millennia, symbolized the very source of life, nurture, and unconditional love. It is a testament to the foundational role of the mother in human society.