巤
mane, bristles, as on a hog, dorsal fins
Strokes15
Readings
On'yomi
- リョウ
Kun'yomi
- たてがみ
- もと
Meaning
巤 centers on stiff, projecting animal features: a mane, bristles on a hog, or dorsal fins. The common idea is a row of coarse, upright hairs or spines along an animal's back.
Study
Etymology
巤 is a pictographic character depicting bristles or a mane. The top 巛 suggests hair or flowing lines, while the lower part may represent the body or base from which the bristles project. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 巛 looks like flowing hair or bristles, and the bottom 龱 resembles a body or base. Picture a hog's back with stiff bristles standing up like a mane.
Reading mnemonic
For リョウ, imagine a lion's mane: lion -> リョウ, and the bristly mane matches the kanji's meaning.