Tangut character for death

It is a Tangut character glossed as “to die” or “death.” Dictionaries list it as L2003. A scholarly reconstruction, an estimate of its historical pronunciation, writes its Tangut reading as ²lhi₄. Chinese 死 is a translation, not the character inside 𗢣.

The Tangut script was promulgated in 1036 to write the Tangut language used by Western Xia. The state used it alongside Chinese, and inscriptions in the script continued after the dynasty ended. Tangut writing was influenced by Chinese characters, yet it remained a distinct script with its own characters.

Why does 𗢣 show up as a box?

It needs a font with Tangut coverage. As of 2026, whether you see it depends on the active font: it needs Tangut coverage, or it may appear as a blank box or fallback mark. Some Tangut fonts may omit characters or show an incorrect form. If the shape looks wrong, check the underlying text character.

What does 𗢣 mean when someone sends it?

It reads as “to die” or “death” to a Tangut reader. If the recipient does not read Tangut, they may not recognize that meaning; explain it in words when it matters.

In a message about Tangut writing or Western Xia history, 𗢣 can point directly to the topic. Sent on its own, it gives little context about whether the word is being used literally, historically, or personally.