CJK Character 竺

It can mean “thick,” relate to bamboo, or mark India in 天竺.

The Han dictionary defines 竺 as “thick,” analyzing it as 二 plus the sound of 竹; another early dictionary sense gives bamboo itself. The earliest form is disputed, so read it as a layered character rather than a little picture of bamboo.

The surname 竺 is old, appearing in Warring States-era covenant texts and Western Han records. Later 竺 was borrowed for its sound in 天竺, an old Chinese name for India. Read the top as a sound and history clue, not proof the meaning is bamboo.

Is 竺 a Buddhist symbol?

Only its neighbors can make the Buddhist reading definite.

天竺 is the clearest India cue, with 竺学, 竺经, 竺教 and 竺法 extending it to Buddhist learning and teaching. Early Buddhist biographies place 竺 before the names of Indian monks, and Chinese disciples later took it from teachers, so a name starting with 竺 can mark lineage.

Japanese references list it as a name-use kanji with readings such as toku and jiku, while Chinese gives zhú and dǔ. A Japanese name can therefore use it without sending a Buddhist message.