羂
trap, snare
Strokes18
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- わな
Meaning
羂 centers on a device that catches or restrains: a trap or snare used to capture something.
Most common words using 羂
- 不空羂索観音ふくうけんじゃくかんのん
Amoghapasa (manifestation of Kannon)
Study
Etymology
羂 combines 罒 (net) with 絹 (silk), suggesting a net or trap made of silk threads. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components point to a net-like device.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 罒 is a net, and the bottom 絹 is silk. Picture a fine silk net spread out as a trap to snare small animals.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, imagine a clever trap designed by Ken, a master trapper: Ken -> ケン, and his silk net snares everything.