About
The character 簟 is a phono-semantic compound denoting a finely woven bamboo mat, traditionally used for sleeping or sitting and valued for its cooling effect in hot weather; it originally encompassed various woven bamboo floor coverings as well. The upper radical ⺮, a compressed form of 竹 (zhú) 'bamboo', indicates the material, while the lower element 覃 (tán) provides the sound, though today the character is pronounced diàn.
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