獬
fabulous monster
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- カイ
- ゲ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
獬 refers to a fabulous monster, a mythical creature of legend. The meaning is narrow and specific to this fantastical beast.
Most common words using 獬
- 獬豸かいち
xiezhi (mythical Chinese beast, symbol of justice and law)
Study
Etymology
獬 combines the beast radical 犭 with 解, which likely provides the sound. It is used specifically for the name of a mythical creature, and its historical development beyond this phono-semantic structure is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A beast 犭 that can solve 解 mysteries: imagine a fabulous monster known for its wisdom, untangling riddles with its sharp mind.
Reading mnemonic
For カイ, picture a fabulous monster rising from the sea with a piercing cry: 'Kai!' The sound echoes as the beast emerges, tying the reading to its mythical nature.