Yi syllable zax

ꊕ writes the Nuosu syllable “zax.”

Nuosu is the name used here for the Liangshan variety written in this modern standard. In the Latin spelling “zax,” final x marks the mid-high tone; it is not a separate English x sound. The syllable’s word meaning depends on the surrounding Yi text, so ꊕ has no single English translation on its own.

Before the modern standard, Yi writing was preserved in locally varied manuscript traditions, especially by hereditary bimo priests, who used it for religious, magical, medical, genealogical and epic texts. The Liangshan standard was developed in 1974 and officially promulgated in 1980 to improve literacy in that dialect.

How did ꊕ become a standard character?

It was standardized from older, locally varied Yi writing.

Some researchers discuss ancient Yi inscriptions on stone, bronze, pottery and bone, but their early record and link to later traditions remain debated. A Unicode history survey highlights a bronze bell from 1485 as the earliest dated surviving example; paper and parchment Yi texts survive from around 1500.

The modern Liangshan form was selected from older forms used in Northern Yi communities, then appeared in official documents, newspapers and literature. It is historically connected to traditional Yi writing. Older Yi ideographs—signs that represent ideas—do not appear to derive from Han Chinese characters. Other Yi regions kept distinct script traditions, so ꊕ does not stand for every Yi language.

Why might ꊕ show as a square?

The selected font may not include Yi syllables.

A font with Yi Syllables coverage can draw this standardized character; a font without the glyph may show a square instead. If the character is inserted but looks wrong, check the font: input and display are separate.