Tangut Ideograph-17C45

It means “down” or “below.” A Tangut dictionary gives it the scholarly reconstructed reading lhiq₄; a Tangut title beginning with 𗱅 supports that gloss in context.

The reading is reconstructed, not a modern spoken form. Tangut was visually inspired by Chinese writing, but it is a separate script and was not derived from Chinese.

Why was Tangut writing created?

It served the Western Xia state, Tangut identity, and Buddhist learning. The script was created under Western Xia’s first emperor. Its goals included a Tangut Buddhist canon—a collection of Buddhist scriptures—and a distinct political identity.

Surviving texts also include Chinese translations, Confucian and military works, literature, and Tibetan religious material. A handwritten Tangut manuscript from Khara-khoto probably dates to the 12th or early 13th century, showing the script remained in use beyond its founding period.