Definitions

luán mythical bird related to phoenix

Etymology phono-semantic

bird

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "鸾" originates from the traditional form "鸞", which historically referred to a mythical auspicious bird in Chinese mythology, often likened to the fenghuang. Its traditional structure is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic component "鳥" meaning bird with the phonetic component "䜌". Over time, the term's meaning extended beyond the literal mythical creature to acquire metaphorical uses in literary language, such as in the compound "鸾凤" denoting marital harmony. The simplified form "鸾" retains the "鸟" radical but replaces the original phonetic with "亦", a structural alteration for graphic convenience that does not derive from etymological progression.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她的名字叫小

Tā de míngzì jiào Xiǎo Luán.

Her name is Xiao Luan.

鸟在古代传说中常见。

Luánniǎo zài gǔdài chuánshuō zhōng chángjiàn.

Luan birds are often seen in ancient legends.

这幅画上有一只和一只凤。

Zhè fú huà shàng yǒu yī zhī luán hé yī zhī fèng.

There is a luan and a phoenix on this painting.

的羽毛色彩斑斓,非常漂亮。

Luán de yǔmáo sècǎi bānlán, fēichāng piàoliang.

The feathers of the luan are colorful and very beautiful.

在神话故事里,常常象征着美好和幸福。

Zài shénhuà gùshì lǐ, luán chángcháng xiàngzhēng zhe měihǎo hé xìngfú.

In mythological stories, the luan often symbolizes beauty and happiness.

艺术家们喜欢用的形象来装饰宫殿。

Yìshùjiā men xǐhuān yòng luán de xíngxiàng lái zhuāngshì gōngdiàn.

Artists like to use the image of the luan to decorate palaces.

虽然是传说中的鸟,但它的形象深入人心。

Suīrán luán shì chuánshuō zhōng de niǎo, dàn tā de xíngxiàng shēnrù rénxīn.

Although the luan is a legendary bird, its image is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

鸟的歌声据说非常动听,能带来和平。

Luánniǎo de gēshēng jùshuō fēichāng dòngtīng, néng dài lái hépíng.

It is said that the song of the luan bird is very melodious and can bring peace.