What symbol is this?
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It could be Japanese or Chinese but it's an old font, because in Japanese, now we write 源 which is read as "gen" or "minamoto" and might translate as origin, source etc.
Where it this?
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Its cast in to the side of a little rock fountain.
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Nice! That’s an apt kanji for a fountain. Is this in your backyard?
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I know, I know!! Shine on you crazy diamond.
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If I read it as a Chinese word/character, it translates to "source" or "origin."
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What a weird thing to cast in to a fountain. I was hoping it translated to “prosperity “ or “joy”.
But no matter. It’s going in the yard. One of several pieces that will require editing out at some point.
I think it’s cool, and I’ll think of my WTF friends and the fact they translated the symbol every time I look at it.
Where else could a retired electrician hang with such an accomplished and erudite crowd?
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When used together with the character/word 泉, which means the “spring”, the two characters together 源泉 means the fountainhead. So putting that word/character 源 near a body of water in a garden setting is apt for a fountain. (Well, at least that‘s how it works if I read it as a Chinese word/character.)
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I’ll think of my WTF friends and the fact they translated the symbol every time I look at it.
️️️Also yes, I agree with Ax, I think it’s very appropriate for a kanji on a fountain.
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So the fountain is marked “fountain?
I guess that works. Kind of like hanging a sign that says “Laundry” next to the washing machine.
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I guess if you put it that way, it is kind of funny!
