How to Write 蛉 (líng) — Meaning “Lacewing (character component)”

Imagine a tiny insect (虫) following a "command" (令) to fly straight, like a lacewing. The right side 令 looks like a small insect with wings, helping you recall the sound "líng" and the meaning.

When writing 蛉, first write the left radical 虫 (3 strokes: vertical, horizontal, dot). Then write 令 on the right — start with the top "person" shape (亽), add two dots, and finish with a horizontal stroke at the bottom. A common mistake is misplacing the dots or making the top part look like 人 instead of 亽.

All three share the 虫 radical, but the right side differs: 虹 has 工 (gōng) and means "rainbow," not an insect. 虺 has 兀 (wù) and means "venomous snake." 蛉 has 令 (lìng) and refers to small insects like lacewings or dragonflies.

蛉 is not used alone in daily speech; it appears in compound words like 草蛉 (cǎo líng, lacewing) and 蜻蛉 (qīng líng, dragonfly). You will mostly encounter it in biology texts, insect names, or nature writing — not in common conversation.

Common words containing 蛉 include: 草蛉 (cǎo líng) — Lacewing (insect).; 蛉子 (líng zi) — Lacewing / Small insect; 蜻蛉 (qīng líng) — Dragonfly.