Chinese character 矊

It can name the pupil or describe the way someone looks.

In 《方言》, an old Chinese record of regional speech, 矊 names a dark pupil in accounts of the Chu and Jianghuai regions of China. In the poem 《招魂》, part of the ancient collection 《楚辭》, “遺視矊些” describes a lingering, attentive, affectionate glance. Context helps distinguish the eye itself from a way of looking.

In the literary work 《江賦》, the paired form 矊眇 describes a way of looking, not just eye color.

Why do old texts use 𥌣 or 𥌭?

They are distinct graphs linked by the history of these texts.

《說文》, an early Chinese character dictionary, gives 𥌭 for a black pupil. Notes and editions of 《楚辭》 connect 矊 and 𥌣. Commentator Duan Yucai argues that the graph in 《方言》 may instead be 𥌭. These are separate characters; when quoting a passage, use the form printed in the edition you are citing.

How do I type 矊?

Use a Chinese pinyin keyboard, then inspect its candidates.

Pinyin spells Mandarin sounds with Latin letters and tone marks. Taiwan’s Ministry of Education dictionary lists mián and alternate miǎn, so pronunciation alone may not narrow the list.