Tangut Component 242

It is a structural part, not a word with its own meaning. The label “Tangut radical 242” is also used for it; here, “radical” means a catalogued part used to index or describe a complete Tangut character. This component has no fixed translation by itself.

The Tangut script, also called the Xixia script, developed in 1036 as part of Western Xia state-building and cultural policy. It drew on Chinese writing but remained a distinct script, used for official, literary, Confucian, and Buddhist texts. A manuscript from Khara-Khoto, a Tangut-era site, probably dates from the 12th or early 13th century; a Tangut Buddhist text was printed in 1247. Scholars use component inventories to index and describe Tangut characters.

How can I type it?

Use Unicode hexadecimal entry or a Tangut stroke input method.

Because this is a cataloguing component rather than a spoken word, entering it by pronunciation on an ordinary language keyboard will not work. The exact shortcut for Unicode entry depends on the app.

Why does it show as a square?

The selected font may not include this character.

The character can remain in the text even when the active font cannot draw it. A Tangut font can still omit particular encoded components, so try a different font with Tangut coverage.