How to Write 荆 (jīng) — Meaning “thorns / brambles / the state of Chu”

Think of 荆 as 'grass that punishes you' — the top part 艹 means grass, and the bottom 刑 means punishment. Imagine touching a thorny bush and getting punished with scratches, which will remind you that 荆 means thorns or brambles.

Write the top grass radical 艹 first (horizontal, vertical, vertical), then the bottom part 刑 — first 开 (two horizontal strokes, then two vertical strokes), and finally the vertical cut 刂 on the right. A common mistake is making the bottom too narrow; keep the 艹 wide enough to cover the 刑 below.

荆 has the grass radical 艹 on top and 刑 (with 开 and 刂) below, while 兹 has a different top (䒑) and bottom (幺) and means 'now' or 'this'. 芈 also has the grass radical but a different bottom (干-like shape) and is a rare surname or an ancient sound. Focus on the unique bottom part 刑 to remember 荆.

荆 appears in the common word 荆棘 (jīng jí, thorns) and the idiom 披荆斩棘 (pī jīng zhǎn jí, to clear obstacles), which is used metaphorically for overcoming difficulties. It is also part of the historical place name 荆州 (Jīngzhōu), a region from ancient China's Warring States period.

Common words containing 荆 include: 荆棘 (jīng jí) — thorns / brambles; 披荆斩棘 (pī jīng zhǎn jí) — to clear away obstacles; 荆州 (jīng zhōu) — Jingzhou (a historical city in China).