麒
usually seen in: (Chinese mythology) qilin (麒麟); Qilin, a district of Qujing City 曲靖市[Qu3 jing4 Shi4], Yunnan (麒麟区); Monoceros constellation (麒麟座); eucheuma, a type of red algae (used in TCM) (麒麟菜)
Closest English meanings
qilin·male unicorn-like beast
The Calligrapher — Dèng Shírú 邓石如
Qing revivalist who restored seal and clerical script to prominence.
Qing calligrapher (), master of seal script/clerical script — Qing self-taught reviver of seal and clerical script, carved energy in every stroke. Qing dynasty
Cultural Story
《説文解字》describes 麒 as “仁獸也,” a benevolent beast, the male of the 麒麟 pair, built from the deer radical with the sound 其. With a deer's body, an ox tail, and one horn, the qilin appeared only in times of sage rule. It embodied perfect virtue, walking on grass without crushing it.
Common words & phrases
- 麒麟 qilin · a mythical beast
- 麒麟阁 Qilin Pavilion
Read the story behind the character
The 麒麟 (qilin) strides across New Year prints and casino roofs as a luck beast, and the 麒麟阁 (Qilin Pavilion) names halls honoring heroes of old. Today toy makers sell qilin figures, and brands borrow its name for “auspicious” products, keeping the gentle unicorn-beast of virtue in daily commerce.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Dèng Shírú 邓石如, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.