犍
bullock, fabulous monster
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
- コン
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
犍 centers on a castrated bull, a bullock. The 'fabulous monster' sense is a rare, separate mythological usage that does not connect to the bullock meaning.
Study
Etymology
犍 combines 牜 (cow) with 建, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a castrated bull, and the 'fabulous monster' meaning is a later, separate mythological extension.
Meaning mnemonic
A cow (牜) that has been 'built' (建) into a bullock: imagine a sturdy, castrated bull used for heavy work.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, picture Ken the bullock: a strong, castrated bull named Ken. Ken -> ケン.