蛺
kind of butterfly
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- キョウ
- コウ
- リョウ
Kun'yomi
- ちょう
Meaning
蛺 refers to a specific kind of butterfly, with no broader abstract extensions beyond that entomological sense.
Study
Etymology
蛺 combines 虫 (insect) with 夾, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development of the compound is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The insect radical 虫 beside 夾 suggests a butterfly with folded wings: the 夾 shape resembles a pair of wings pressed together, like a butterfly at rest.
Reading mnemonic
For キョウ, imagine a butterfly in Kyoto: Kyoto -> キョウ, and the butterfly flutters among the temples.