About
The character 螳 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-side radical 虫 (chóng) indicates the semantic category of insects or creeping animals. The right component 堂 (táng), meaning hall or main room, serves as the phonetic element providing the pronunciation. The character's sole meaning is the praying mantis, appearing almost exclusively in the compound 螳螂 (tángláng), the name for the predatory insect known for its distinctive raptorial forelegs and hunting posture.
Etymology Hide
