Han character 𮍍

𮍍 is recorded as a nonstandard form of 臤, an old Chinese character. A paleographic reading connects 臤 to 掔 (“take by hand”) and a hand-holding shape, though Shang oracle-bone evidence is fragmentary. The reading of a Zhou bronze example is debated; “worthy” is the strongest interpretation. Warring States bamboo texts also use 臤 for 賢 (“worthy/able”), while Han-era Shuowen defines it as “firm.” Its reading depends on its source text.