witch, demon, evil spirit
魔 centers on supernatural malevolence: a witch, demon, or evil spirit that brings harm or temptation.
魔 combines 麻 (hemp, likely for sound) with 鬼 (demon, spirit) to express a demonic or bewitching force. The phono-semantic structure is clear, though the exact historical development is uncertain.
Under a hemp plant 麻, a demon 鬼 lurks, casting spells like a witch.
For マ, imagine a demonic witch casting a spell with a loud 'MA!' sound: MA -> マ.
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magic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell
hindrance; obstacle; nuisance; disturbance; interruption; interference
devil; demon; fiend
demon; devil; evil spirit; evil influence
witch
magic; sorcery; witchcraft
Satan; the Devil; the Prince of Darkness
magician; wizard; sorcerer; witch; mage
magical powers; supernatural powers; spell; charm
demon; devil; evil spirit; monster; goblin; apparition
cheating; deception; trickery; manipulation; juggling; falsifying; sham; camouflage; smoke and mirrors; cutting corners
demon world
to deceive; to cheat; to swindle
devil; evil spirit; genie
demon-infested place
heresy; evil ways; path of evil
devilish; diabolical
hindrance; intrusion
random attacker; slasher
Yama (King of Hell who judges the dead); Enma