Tangut character 𘋇

The Tangut rat character 𘋇 means “rat” or “mouse.”

In a calendar or zodiac passage, it can name the Rat, the first position in the traditional Earthly Branch cycle used for dates and zodiac names. In an ordinary Tangut word, read it as the animal.

The Tangut script was created under a Western Xia emperor around 1036 CE. Its earliest surviving example is an official document sent to a military official in Guazhou in 1072 CE.

Why was Tangut writing created?

To write the Tangut language for the Western Xia state.

The state used it for records, orders, administration and literature. Tangut books also preserved Buddhist scriptures and translations of Chinese works, including Confucian, military and literary texts. The character belongs to this broad state and religious written tradition.

After Western Xia fell, Tangut continued in Yuan- and Ming-period texts before the script became obsolete.

How can I type and display 𘋇?

Use hexadecimal Unicode input if your editor supports it.

Enter U+182C7 in an editor that accepts hexadecimal Unicode values; the steps depend on the editor. A font with Tangut coverage is needed to display the character. Without one, it may appear as a box.