About
The character "虺" is structured with the radical "虫" indicating reptiles and the component "兀" serving a phonetic role. Its earliest textual uses in Chinese antiquity specifically denoted a venomous snake, often a pit viper. Over time, the semantic range of "虺" expanded to encompass mythical serpents or dragons within mythological traditions, and it further acquired figurative applications in literature to convey notions of venomous or malevolent qualities. The character's form, comprising these two components, has been the standard representation in its historical usage.
Etymology Hide
