寅
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: 3rd earthly branch: 3-5 a.m., 1st solar month , year of the Tiger
💡 Imagine a tiger (虎) under a roof (宀) at 3-5 a.m. (寅时).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Unearthing the oracle bone script, we find 寅 originally depicted an arrow or a spear, symbolizing power and forward motion. By the Shang dynasty, it was adopted as the third Earthly Branch, marking the period 3–5 a.m., the first solar month, and the Year of the Tiger. The radical 宀 (roof) suggests a connection to shelter or stability, while the character's evolution reflects a blend of martial energy and cosmic order in ancient Chinese thought.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
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