How to Write 蟒 (mǎng) — Meaning “Python”

Picture a giant python slithering through a jungle of thick grass (莽). The left side 虫 reminds you it's a creature, and the right side 莽 sounds like "mang" — think "Mang the snake" hiding in the grass.

Write 蟒 with 16 strokes: first the left radical 虫 (6 strokes), then the right component 莽 (10 strokes). The right part 莽 has a top 艹 (grass), a middle 大, and a bottom 廾 — be careful not to lose any strokes, especially the two vertical strokes in 廾. A common mistake is making the left 虫 too wide; keep it narrow so the character stays balanced.

While 蟒 (mǎng) means python and uses 虫 as a reptile radical, 蜘 (zhī) refers to spiders and is always used in 蜘蛛. 蜚 (fēi) means cockroach or a flying insect and appears in words like 蜚蠊 (cockroach). Visually, 蟒 has the right part 莽 (grass), while 蜘 has 知 (knowledge) and 蜚 has 非 (wrong), making them easy to tell apart.

蟒 is used in words like 蟒蛇 (python) and 大蟒 (large python) to describe the snake itself. It also appears in 蟒袍 (dragon robe), a historical robe worn by Chinese officials decorated with python patterns — a symbol of rank and authority in imperial China. Though not common in everyday conversation, 蟒 is well known in nature and historical contexts.

Common words containing 蟒 include: 蟒蛇 (mǎng shé) — Python; 大蟒 (dà mǎng) — Large python; 蟒袍 (mǎng páo) — Dragon robe.