鲵
Cryptobranchus japonicus; salamander
Closest English meanings
giant salamander
The Calligrapher — Ōuyáng Tōng 欧阳通
Tang regular-script master known for powerful, square strokes.
Tang calligrapher (?–691), master of regular script — known for 《道因法师碑》. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
鲵 sets 鱼 beside 兒 and is the giant salamander, despite the fish radical—an ancient "fish" that is really an amphibian. The 《説文解字》 lists it among water creatures of strange, large form.
Common words & phrases
- 大鲵 Chinese giant salamander
- 鲵鱼 salamander
Read the story behind the character
In the modern world
鲵 is the giant salamander: 大鲵 the Chinese giant salamander, a living fossil now protected, and 鲵鱼 the salamander of old texts. Aquariums and conservation news use it. The character reminds us that not everything under 鱼 truly swims like a fish.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Ōuyáng Tōng 欧阳通, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.