Definitions
red earth used for paints
Etymology
About
The character 雘 is a phono-semantic compound denoting a red earth pigment historically used to decorate palaces and ceremonial buildings. It is classified under the radical 隹 (short-tailed bird) because its phonetic component, 蒦, contains 隹. The upper component is 雨 (rain). Although bird and rain elements appear structurally, the meaning relates solely to colored earth or mineral paint. Applying 雘 was a costly, labor-intensive process reserved for high-status architecture. The component 蒦 provides the pronunciation, and the character functions as a specialized noun for architectural red paint in classical texts.
Etymology Hide
