铉

鉉

xuàn

玄 + 钅

Definitions

xuàn stick-like implement inserted into the handles of a tripod cauldron in ancient times in order to lift the cauldron; commonly used in Korean names, transcribed as "hyun"

Etymology phono-semantic

metal

Semantic: 钅 Phonetic: 玄

About

铉, the simplified form of traditional 鉉, combines the metal radical (钅, originally 金) with the phonetic element 玄. It originally denoted a metal handle or ring used to lift heavy ritual bronze vessels such as tripods and cauldrons. Because these vessels symbolized state authority, the character also came to refer to high-ranking ministers or important officials in literary contexts.