鼉
large reptile, water lizard
Readings
On'yomi
- タ
- タン
- セン
Kun'yomi
- わに
Meaning
鼉 centers on a large aquatic reptile, specifically a water lizard or similar creature. The given meanings point to a single concept: a big, lizard-like animal that lives in water.
Study
Etymology
鼉 is a phono-semantic compound: the bottom component 黽 (a type of frog or reptile) suggests the meaning, while the top part likely contributed the sound. The exact historical development of the top component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The bottom part 黽 looks like a creature with a big head and legs, and the dense top adds to the image of a large, scaly body. Picture a giant water lizard emerging from a swamp, its shape filling the whole character.
Reading mnemonic
For タ, imagine a large water lizard basking on a tar pit: tar -> タ, and the sticky black tar matches the dark, ancient feel of this rare kanji.