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The character 赕 (dǎn) combines the shell radical 贝 (bèi), from its traditional form 賧 with 貝, and the phonetic component 炎 (yán), signaling an association with wealth or transactions. Originally, it referred to paying a monetary fine or ransom. Later, it came to denote a specific cultural practice among the Dai people of southern China: making charitable donations or offerings to Buddhist temples. Thus, 赕 shifted from a general financial penalty to a religious act of transferring material wealth.
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