Rules Of Haiku: how to write haiku poetry in 2025

Haiku rules. The basic rules of haiku that hugely demonstrate how to write haiku poems. It contains the examples of haiku and the meaning of haiku

The Tips And Rules Of Haiku: how to write haiku poems in 2025

Haiku poem is a popular form of traditional poetry that originated from Japan and later popularized by major Japanese poets such as Basho, Yao buson and Shiki. With time, civilization  influenced the writing of haiku and was made popular amongst the western world by her writers although the adoption was met with few modifications in its structures.

In such light, there are some definitive rules for haiku poetry that structurally guide how haiku poetry should be written and formatted. In this article, we'll go through the basic definition of haiku poetry, and an in-depth of the haiku rules as they apply to its writing, the examples and an addition of a popular haiku poem

Haiku Poetry Definition

Haiku can be simply defined as the form of poetry written in 17 syllables and arranged in the order of three lines. Haiku are mostly poem on nature, seasons and the environment. There are often some relation of haiku poems with motifs in literature.

An example of haiku poem below depicts some of the rules, already mentioned in the definition.

Haiku poem:

Delightful display

Snowdrops bow their pure white heads

To the sun's glory.

From the example, it is obvious that the first line of the poem has five syllables, while the other two lines shares seven and five syllables respectively. Also, it is three lines. These are the major obvious rules for haiku written poems.

Thus, for a fact, the haiku rules need to be maintained before you can be rest assured that your poem meets the standard applicable to writing haiku poems.

Haiku Rules 

There are haiku rules that serve as guidelines for the writers of haiku poems. They are structure that defines how haiku is written, and what specifically separate it from other forms of poetry.

In the section, we shall consider the important hiaku rules.The following are the rules for writing haiku poem:

1. Haiku poems must be written in 17 syllables.
2. The syllables must be in the order of 5,7,5
3. Haiku poems must not be more than 3 lines
4. Haiku poems must be a poem on nature, season or an environment as emphasized upon above.
5. And lastly, haiku poems don't rhyme.

How To Write A Haiku

Technically, to write a haiku, the aforementioned rules must be strictly followed. Although, most haiku poems are on nature, they can also be on any other themes.

Having mastered the haiku rules, practice their implementation. 

Firstly, choose your topic. 

Secondly, prepare a draft of the poem. You do not have to use only the words from your brainstormed list, but each line will need to form either 5 or 7 syllables. Hence, be creative while writing your haiku.

Thirdly, edit and proofread.

Lastly, ensure they have the required number of syllables in each line.

Examples Of Haiku Poems That Followed The Haiku Rules 

For you to understand better how to make use of the rules of haiku, some examples are highlighted below in their simpler forms. To have it accurately addressed and simplified, each rule has an example underneath.

1. It must be written in 17 syllables.

e.g. 

Delightful display

Snowdrops bow their pure white heads

To the sun's glory.

Syllables:

De/light/ful/ dis/play—5 syllables

Snow/drops/ bow/ their/ pure/ white/ heads/—7 syllables

To/ the/ sun's/ glo/ry./—5 syllables

From the example listed above, one can easily decipher that the total number of the syllables in the poem is 17.

2. Its syllables must be arranged in the order of 5,7,5 

N.B.: The number one example still applies here. The reiteration is only for emphasis.

3.  Haiku poem must no be more than three lines.

 Haiku is a three lines poem and as such, its most important attribute is its portability. It is a huge creativity condensed in short form. It could tell a story, describe a person or an attribute with only few sentences.

E.g.

 Delightful display—line 1

Snowdrops bow their pure white heads—line 2

To the sun's glory.—line 3

4. Haiku poems are poem on nature, seasons or environment. Take cognizance of this haiku rule.

E.g. summer, ocean, sea, winter etc.

5. Haiku poems don't rhyme. Rhyme is not appreciated in haiku

E.g

Delightful display—'play' (a)

Snowdrops bow their pure white heads—'ds' (b)

To the sun's glory.—'ry'(c).

With the above rules, your creativity in writing haiku poem is properly guided

Can a Haiku Rhyme

Yes, a haiku can rhyme. However, it's not a necessary feature of the traditional Japanese poetry. 

Most haiku poems that rhyme are English language haiku for the purpose of adding extra effect.

Popular Haiku Poem

Here is a popular haiku poem:

 “Lighting One Candle” by Yosa Buson

The light of a candle

Is transferred to another candle—

Spring twilight

Yosa Buson is one of the founding fathers of traditional haiku poems and this above, is one of his popular Haiku poem.

Conclusion

Haiku poems have never lost their value nor the place among the forms of poetry in literary world. Similarly, the rules of haiku haven't changed. These rules are maintained and are expected to be strictly adhered to while writing haiku poems.