Definitions

fox, leopard, panther

Etymology phono-semantic

beast

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The Chinese character is a phono-semantic compound: its left radical marks it as a beast or mythological creature, and the right component gives the sound. Most commonly, it appears in the compound 貔貅, a fierce mythological beast that wards off evil spirits and attracts wealth. In ancient texts, also referred to a fierce wild animal, perhaps a leopard or bear, and by extension, brave and fierce troops in military contexts. The character has no simplified form.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern