藾

type of mugwort, cover, hide

Strokes19

Readings

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藾 centers on a specific plant (a type of mugwort) and the actions of covering or hiding, likely from the plant's use or growth habit.

藾 combines the grass radical 艹 with 賴, which likely provides the sound. The exact historical development of the meaning is uncertain.

The grass radical 艹 sits above 賴, like a plant that covers or hides the ground. Think of mugwort spreading and concealing the soil.

For ライ, imagine a mugwort plant lying over the ground to hide it: lie -> ライ, and the plant covers everything.