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Kanji for Orchid
The kanji most commonly used for "Orchid" is 蘭.
蘭
Kanji that mean Orchid
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蘭
orchid, holland
Also associated with fragrant.
Onyomi: ra, ran 19 strokes Jinmeiyō
蘭 is the character for orchid, and it does the job alone: written by itself it reads ran and means the flower. In East Asian painting the orchid is one of the Four Gentlemen, alongside plum, bamboo and chrysanthemum, and it carries the associations that go with that grouping — refinement and quiet distinction rather than display.
The second meaning is historical and has nothing to do with flowers. 蘭 was borrowed to write Holland (阿蘭陀, Oranda) for its sound, which is why 蘭学 means Dutch learning, the Western science that reached Edo-period Japan through the Dutch trading post.
蘭 is also a given name in its own right, read Ran, and an element in longer names. One thing to watch: it attaches to plants that are not orchids at all. 鈴蘭 (suzuran) is lily of the valley.
Before you use Orchid kanji
蘭 is safe and reads as the flower first. The one thing worth knowing is the second sense — it stands for Holland in words such as 蘭学, so a faint Dutch association sits behind it. As a name it is read Ran and is used for women.