Tangut Ideograph-18601

It is a Tangut character; its label does not give its meaning. “Tangut Ideograph-18601” is an identifier, not a translation or pronunciation guide. Tangut was the language of Western Xia, a state led by Tangut rulers; a Tangut dictionary or reading database is needed to identify this glyph’s meaning and reconstructed sound.

The Tangut script was commissioned under Emperor Li Yuanhao around 1036 as part of building Western Xia’s state and cultural identity; a Tangut Buddhist canon was a major aim. A manuscript from Khara-Khoto, a ruined city, dated to the 12th or early 13th century, preserves a Tangut translation of a Chinese work. The latest known Tangut inscription is dated 1502.

What was Tangut writing used for?

It served Western Xia administration, Buddhist translation, and private writing. Surviving texts include Buddhist sutras (religious scriptures), law codes, contracts, account books, dictionaries, inscriptions, and translations from Chinese and Tibetan.

After Western Xia fell, Tangut writing persisted during the Yuan and Ming dynasties and became obsolete by the end of the Ming. The script took visual and structural inspiration from Chinese writing and Khitan examples, while remaining a separate script for the Tangut language.

How do I type or display 𘘁?

A Tangut input method enters it; a supporting font displays it. RIME Tangut Cangjie is a shape-based input scheme: it maps character components to codes, but its maintainers describe a steep learning curve.

A blank or box usually means the active font lacks Tangut coverage. Fonts can preserve different source forms or corrections, so a changed outline alone does not mean the encoded character changed.