Khitan glyph 18C25

𘰥 is a character in the historical writing system for Khitan. Surviving examples are mainly carved inscriptions; the script is only partly deciphered.

Text symbol

What 𘰥 means

Its Unicode name is an ID, not a translation. Khitan small script uses signs for words and for sounds, often grouped into clusters. This glyph's role in an inscription guides its reading.

Why did the Khitan make this script?

To write Khitan for the Liao state. Created around 925, the script drew on the Uyghur alphabet and signs from the Khitan large script. It served records, diplomacy and exams. The Jin kept it after Liao fell until 1191. Early in the 12th century, Jurchen scripts adapted Khitan and Chinese character models.

Why can Khitan text display differently?

Historical columns need extra display support. Khitan writing ran in vertical columns, right to left, with sound signs in clusters. A horizontal row flattens the layout. Unicode 17.0 requires extra support for the script’s orientations and describes it as only partly deciphered.

Part of the collection

𘬣

Khitan Small Script

Who writes 𘰥

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Questions people ask

Why does 𘰥 show as a box on some devices?

It is recent: Unicode added it in version 13.0 (2020), and phones and computers whose fonts are older than that have nothing to draw it with. The character itself is still correct and copies correctly.