Orochi
/oɾotɕi/noun
A Japanese mythological serpent or dragon, especially the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi.
Did you know?In the *Kojiki*, Susanoo defeats Yamata no Orochi by intoxicating its eight heads with sake, then discovers the sacred sword Kusanagi inside its tail.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japanese
Old Japanese
をろち (woroti/oroti)
“An archaic term for a great serpent; its ultimate etymology is uncertain.”
8th Century
Old Japanese
八俣遠呂智 (Yamata no Orochi)
“The eight-forked or eight-branched serpent recorded in the *Kojiki*.”
8th Century
Old Japanese
八岐大蛇 (Yamata no Orochi)
“An alternative written form meaning the great serpent of eight branches.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
大蛇 (orochi)
“A literary or mythological reading for 大蛇, “great serpent”; the spelling and reading became associated with giant snakes and dragons.”
Modern Japanese
Japanese
オロチ
“Orochi, used for mythological serpents, giant snakes, fictional monsters, and names inspired by Yamata no Orochi.”