革命 etymology

[sekimentomato]

Hi, does anyone know why 革命 means revolution? Where does leather come into it?! If it’s just there for the sound, when there are plenty of other “かく” choices… why this one? Thanks for your help on this vital point

[Belthazar]

Wiktionary has a pretty good etymology for this. In summary, the word meant “dynastic change” in the original Chinese - as well as “leather”, in Chinese, 革 also means “to change; to alter; to reform” and “to remove; to expel”.

[Leebo]

Yeah, one meaning (and rare reading) for 革 is あらためる (to revise).

And a meaning (and rare reading) for 命 is おおせ (command)

おおせをあらためる

[sekimentomato]

Thank you, that is perfect! It’s weird how much I wanted to know that. Great when things actually do make sense.