How to Write 镬 (huò) — Meaning “Cauldron / Large pot”

Imagine a big metal pot (钅) with a lid shaped like a butterfly (蒦 looks a bit like a butterfly spreading its wings). The butterfly lid keeps the soup hot in the cauldron. This visual trick links the metal radical to the shape of the right side.

Write the left radical 钅 (gold radical) first with 5 strokes, then the right part 蒦 which has 13 strokes. Be careful not to confuse the top part of 蒦 (艹 grass radical) with 竹 (bamboo) — it is grass over 隹 (short-tailed bird). Also, the bottom of 蒦 ends with 又 (right hand), not 攵 (rap).

镬 means a cauldron or large pot, made of metal. 镖 (biāo) means a dart or a weapon (like a throwing knife) and also uses 钅 but with 票 on the right. 镗 (tāng or táng) is a boring machine or a sound of drums; its right side is 堂. Visually, 镬 is the only one with 蒦, so focus on the top grass component and the bird below.

Today 镬 is rarely used in daily life, mostly appearing in cooking terms like 镬子 (large wok or pot) or in historical punishments like 鼎镬 (boiling alive in a cauldron). It carries a strong ancient or formal feel and is often seen in classical texts or idioms about harsh torture.

Common words containing 镬 include: 镬子 (huò zi) — Cauldron / Large pot; 鼎镬 (dǐng huò) — large cauldrons (ancient punishment by boiling); 镬盖 (huò gài) — Pot lid.