Yi Syllable Lop

Alone, ꇊ can mean “surround”; in a word, it supplies one syllable.

Nuosu (Liangshan Yi) is written with syllable signs that combine into words. The Latin spelling lop identifies this syllable; by itself, it can also be glossed “encircle.” Apps that accept Unicode hexadecimal entry use A1CA for this character.

Why are there different Yi scripts?

Yi writing developed through local traditions before the Liangshan standard.

A Nuosu origin story credits Aki, but it does not establish a single inventor. A bronze bell dated 1485 is one early surviving Yi-script example; older stone and bronze objects have also been proposed, though their status is debated.

Traditional Yi writing served religious, magical, medical, and family-line texts transmitted by village priests; regional traditions developed different glyph shapes, sounds, writing directions, and character sets. A standardized Liangshan form was devised in 1974 and officially promulgated in 1980. It grew from those regional traditions and was designed for Liangshan Yi, not every Yi variety.

How do I type ꇊ?

Use a Nuosu/Yi keyboard or Unicode hex input.

In a Nuosu keyboard or converter, enter the romanized syllable lop. Its final p marks the low-falling tone; it is not a separate consonant. If the app supports Unicode hexadecimal input, enter A1CA.