Tangut character 1816D

It is a Tangut character glossed “knee.” Scholars reconstruct its historical reading as ngwe; the asterisk marks a reconstruction, not a pronunciation recorded from a present-day speaker.

Tangut writing was introduced in 1036 under Western Xia ruler Li Yuanhao, with Yeli Renrong involved in its development. A surviving official document dated 1072 is commonly cited as the earliest example. The script served the Western Xia government and helped express Tangut state identity; it also carried translations of Buddhist scriptures, Chinese classics, encyclopedias, military works, and literature. Manuscript traditions continued to use Tangut writing after the state fell.

Is 𘅭 a Chinese character?

No; it belongs to Tangut writing, not Chinese. Tangut was a separate language, and its square, component-based script drew inspiration from Chinese writing. That influence does not make 𘅭 a Chinese word or give it the Chinese reading for “knee.”

Khitan writing is a useful historical comparison, but whether it directly influenced Tangut is disputed. Treat the two as neighboring writing traditions, not as a proven ancestor and descendant.

Two Tangut characters for “to crawl,” 𘅬 and 𗂤, are documented constructions using elements glossed “knee,” “hand,” and “walk.” They are related forms, not alternate spellings of 𘅭.