麟 |
PINYIN | ||||
lín |
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Main meanings: ①Chinese unicorn: qilin. ②rarity
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Etymology:
Elements ---- Deer 鹿 + ignis fatuus 粦. Phonetic series 粦.
A deer with fish scales (粦 for 鱗). Then Chinese unicorn 麒麟 qílín is the auspicious deer with scales as a fish. As unicorns were thought to appear only rarely > rarity.Main Words:
麒麟 qílín Chinese unicorn.
麟角 línjiǎo unicorn horns; rarities.Discussion and sources
Though most of the scholars think that 粦 has only a phonetic value, it is clear that it relates here to the imagined characteristics of the Chinese unicorn, especially of its skin, with scales as that of fishes.
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