夔

one-legged monster, walrus

Strokes21

Readings

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夔 refers to a mythical one-legged monster, and by extension a walrus, likely due to a perceived visual or conceptual resemblance.

夔鳳文きほうもん
inscription of a fantastic birdlike creature found on Yin and Zhou dynasty bronze ware
夔鳳鏡きほうきょう
intricately inscribed ancient bronze or iron mirror featuring a pair of firebirds

夔 is an ancient character depicting a mythical one-legged creature. The modern form is complex and its exact historical development is uncertain.

The top 丷 looks like two horns, and the bottom 夒 is a tangled, beast-like shape. Picture a horned, one-legged monster stomping around.

For キ, imagine a key unlocking a cage holding the one-legged monster: key -> キ, and the monster is freed.