How to Write 缡 (lí) — Meaning “bridal veil; sash”

Picture a silk (纟) bridal veil that the bride "leaves" (离) behind as she walks down the aisle. The sound "lí" matches the right part, so you can think "silk left at wedding" to remember both the look and the meaning.

Write the silk radical 纟 first, making sure the three strokes are compact and the lower horizontal turns upward. The right part 离 has a dot on top, then a horizontal stroke, and the bottom contains 禸 (a short vertical and a curve) — be careful not to simplify it into a simple 冂 shape.

缡 (lí) means a sash or bridal veil, while 绩 (jì) means to twist fibers or achievement, and 绪 (xù) means thread end or beginning. Visually, their right sides differ: 缡 has 离, 绩 has 责, and 绪 has 者 — so focus on the distinct right components to tell them apart.

缡 is very rare in daily life and appears mostly in classical or literary phrases, such as 结缡 (jié lí) meaning "to get married" in a traditional sense. It refers to an ancient bridal veil or a sash worn at weddings, so you may encounter it in historical novels or poetry.

Common words containing 缡 include: 结缡 (jié lí) — To get married (literary).; 缡袂 (lí mèi) — flowing sleeves; 缡带 (lí dài) — sash; ribbon.