蜀

shǔ

罒 + 𠣜

Frequency#2603

Definitions

shǔ short name for Sichuan 四川[sì chuān] province; one of the Three Kingdoms 三國|三国[sān guó] after the Han dynasty, also called 蜀漢|蜀汉[shǔ hàn], situated around what is now Sichuan province

Etymology

Depicts a person (人) raising silkworms (虫). Refers to Can Cong (蠶叢), the legendary ruler of the kingdom of Shu (modern-day Sichuan), who was said to have been the inventor of silk.

About

The character "蜀" originates from an early pictographic concept of a silkworm or caterpillar, a notion reflected in its modern structure where the component "罒", evoking a net or enclosure, is positioned above "虫", meaning insect. Initially used to denote the insect itself, the term was later applied to an ancient state situated in the Sichuan basin, with this toponymic usage eventually superseding the original entomological meaning. The character's form, consistently written with these components, facilitated this semantic transition from a biological reference to a permanent geographical identifier for the region.

Etymology Hide

Oracle Western Zhou (1045-771 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

蜀地的风景很美。

Shǔ dì de fēngjǐng hěn měi.

The scenery of Sichuan is very beautiful.

蜀绣是中国传统艺术。

Shǔ xiù shì Zhōngguó chuántǒng yìshù.

Sichuan embroidery is a traditional Chinese art.

我们在蜀地旅行了很久。

Wǒmen zài Shǔ dì lǚxíng le hěn jiǔ.

We traveled in Sichuan for a long time.

历史上，蜀国与魏国争霸。

Lìshǐ shàng, Shǔ guó yǔ Wèi guó zhēng bà.

Historically, the state of Shu competed with the state of Wei for hegemony.

蜀地的气候温和，适合居住。

Shǔ dì de qìhòu wēnhé, shìhé jūzhù.

The climate in Sichuan is mild and suitable for living.

尽管蜀道艰难，但商人仍频繁往来。

Jǐnguǎn Shǔ dào jiānnán, dàn shāngrén réng pínfán wǎnglái.

Although the Shu roads are difficult, merchants still frequently travel back and forth.

蜀汉政权在三国时期曾一度繁荣昌盛。

Shǔ Hàn zhèngquán zài Sānguó shíqī céng yīdù fánróng chāngshèng.

The Shu Han regime once flourished and prospered during the Three Kingdoms period.

若想深入了解蜀文化，必须研究其历史变迁。

Ruò xiǎng shēnrù liǎojiě Shǔ wénhuà, bìxū yánjiū qí lìshǐ biànqiān.

If you want to deeply understand Shu culture, you must study its historical changes.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 罒

蜀