聖火

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 聖火(せいか) means the sacred or ceremonial flame lit and carried on symbolically at an athletic event or similar ceremony.
• Basic usage: It is used when the flame is lit at an opening ceremony or when referring to its cauldron. Typical patterns are 聖火がともされる and 聖火台の模型.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Distinguish the flame from the cauldron
  • 聖火 is the flame, while 聖火台 is the cauldron in which it is lit.
• Difference from たいまつ
  • たいまつ is a handheld torch used to carry fire, while 聖火 focuses on the symbolically important ceremonial flame.