How to Write 巠 (jīng) — Meaning “Underground water / Stream (ancient character)”

Imagine three small streams (the three vertical strokes of 巛) falling from above and then merging into one horizontal line underground. This visual of water sinking into the earth can help you recall that 巠 means "underground water."

Write the top part 巛 as three separate vertical strokes, each about the same length, then draw a horizontal line across their bottoms. A common mistake is to make the vertical strokes too long or to connect them with the horizontal line incorrectly—they should just touch the line, not cross through it.

The word 巠水 (jīng shuǐ) refers to the Jing River or flowing water in ancient contexts. 巠流 (jīng liú) means "stream" or "flow," and 巠脉 (jīng mài) describes underground water channels or veins, all used in historical geography or classical literature.

Today, 巠 is rarely used alone; it appears mainly as a component in other characters like 经 (jīng, "pass through") and 泾 (jīng, the Jing River). Cultural note: the character reflects ancient Chinese understanding of underground water systems, important for early irrigation and farming.

Common words containing 巠 include: 巠水 (jīng shuǐ) — Flowing water / Jing River; 巠流 (jīng liú) — Stream / Flow; 巠脉 (jīng mài) — Veins / Water channels.