The meaning of Maru

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 20

The meaning of Maru

Have you ever wondered why Japanese fishing vessels usually have the suffix, Maru, as part of ; their name? Maru is Japanese for anything I circular or round; for example, the Japanese flag with the round, ‘ rising sun is called the Hinomaru. { ■ Many theories have. been nut t forward as to why the name has j become attached to ships. One of < these is that the name comes j from a Chinese' god named < . Hakudo Maru who, according to. ( legend, taught men to build ships ' i about 3000 B.C. Another theory is that ships, 1 being self-contained like a circle, had a heavenly roundness. So I Maru was added to the name to ‘ ■ attract the attention of the gods, • . . ARRIVALS , I • Coastal Trader (7 a.m.) 2500, ..Dunedin.(S.C.NX)..l Star Caster'(lo.ls.a.m.) 14,667, -U.S.A (N.Z.P.C.).

DEPARTURES Coastal Trader (2.30 p.m.) 2500, Auckland (S.C.N.Z.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Union Lyttelton, Wgtn, today (7 a.m.). Australia Star, N. Plym., tomorrow. Marama, Wgtn, tomorrow. Ngakuta, Taur., June 5. Asia Falcon, Wgtn, June 5. Kwangsi, Nap., June 6. Coastal Trader, Auck., June 7. Union Hobart, Wgtn. June 8. Coastal Trader, Dndn, June 9. -Carla A. Hills, Bahrain. June 10. Union Hobart. Wgtn, June 10. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Union Lyttelton, Wgtn, today (8 p.m.). Marama, Auck., tomorrow. Australia Star, Dndn, June 5. . Coastal Trader, Dndn, June 7., Union Hobart, Wgtn, June 8. Coastal Trader, Auck., June 9. Union Hobart. Wgtn, June 10. Ngakuta, Dndn, June 11. VESSELS IN PORT Castor, No. 2 East.