How to Write 兰 (lán) — Meaning “Orchid”

Imagine an orchid flower with three long petals: the top two dots (丷) are the flower's blossom, and the three horizontal lines below are the three leaves. This visual trick helps you recall that 兰 means "orchid" with its distinctive shape.

The top two dots (丷) should be written small and close together, like two tiny flower buds. The three horizontal lines below must be evenly spaced, with the middle line slightly longer than the top and bottom ones. A common mistake is making the three lines the same length, which makes the character look unbalanced.

兰 has three horizontal lines under the top 丷, while 关 has a "天" (sky) component with a diagonal stroke underneath. 兴 has a different bottom part that looks like 八 (eight) with a horizontal line above it. Remember: 兰 = orchid with three leaves, 关 = close with a big "天", and 兴 = prosper with an "八" base.

兰 appears in words like 兰花 (lánhuā, orchid flower) and 荷兰 (Hélán, The Netherlands). It is also in the name 木兰 (Mùlán, magnolia or the legendary heroine Mulan). Culturally, the orchid symbolizes elegance and refinement, and it is one of the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese art, representing spring and virtue.

Common words containing 兰 include: 兰花 (lán huā) — Orchid; 荷兰 (hé lán) — The Netherlands; 木兰 (mù lán) — Magnolia; Mulan.