蠒 (jiǎn) - Silkworm cocoon — the protective casing spun by & also refers to cocoon-like objects or situations.

蠒Tone 3

jiǎn ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

蠒 · jiǎn

Silkworm cocoon — the protective casing spun by silkworms around themselves before metamorphosis into moths;

also refers to cocoon-like objects or situations.

Silkworm cocoon — the protective casing spun byalso refers to cocoon-like objects or situations.

Usage highlights

Silkworm cocoonCocoon silkCocoonBreak out of a cocoonCocooning

Synonyms

  • 茧— cocoon (simplified/common form)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The silkworm spins a cocoon (蚕吐丝作蠒).
  • Cocoon silk is used for textiles (蠒丝 textile).
  • He felt trapped in a cocoon of his own making (作茧自缚).

Collocations

  • Silkworm cocoon(蚕蠒)
  • Cocoon silk(蠒丝)
  • Cocoon-like(如蠒)
  • Break out of a cocoon(破蠒)
  • Cocooning(作蠒)

Idioms

  • Spin a cocoon around oneself(作茧自缚)
  • Break the cocoon and emerge as a butterfly(破蠒成蝶)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with sericulture (silk production) in ancient China.
  • The character appears in classical texts and idioms related to transformation and self-imposed limitations.
  • Represents both protection and confinement in Chinese philosophical contexts.

FAQ