龑 (yǎn) - Yǎn — a character created by Liu Yan, & used in historical names and occasionally in modern

龑Tone 3

yǎn ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

龑 · yǎn

Yǎn — a character created by Liu Yan, founder of the Southern Han kingdom, meaning 'brilliant light of heaven';

used in historical names and occasionally in modern given names.

Yǎn — a character created by Liu Yan,used in historical names and occasionally in modern

Usage highlights

Liu GongyanHeavenly brillianceImperial characterDragon risingSouthern Han founder

Synonyms

  • 炎— flame, blaze (similar meaning of brilliance and heat)
  • 煜— bright, shining (similar luminous quality)
  • 昊— vast sky, heaven (similar celestial reference)

Antonyms

  • 暗— dark, dim (opposite of brilliant light)
  • 冥— dark, obscure (opposite of heavenly light)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Liu Yan's imperial name was Liu Gongyan (刘龑).
  • The character appears in some historical texts (龑字).
  • Rarely used in modern given names (龑明).

Collocations

  • Liu Gongyan(刘龑)
  • Heavenly brilliance(天龑)
  • Imperial character(龑字)
  • Dragon rising(飞龙在天, related concept)
  • Southern Han founder(南汉创始人)

Idioms

  • The dragon soars(飞龙在天)
  • Heavenly mandate(天命)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Created by Liu Yan (Emperor Gaozu of Southern Han) as his personal name character during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
  • Represents imperial authority and the concept of 'the brilliant light of heaven shining on earth'.
  • One of the few Chinese characters specifically invented for an emperor's name.

FAQ