How to Write 芈 (mǐ) — Meaning “Mi (an ancient surname)”

Imagine the top part as grass (艹) growing over a fence made of a horizontal bar (一) with a post (丨) sticking up through it. This "grass over a fence" image can help you recall that 芈 is an old surname, like a family name rooted in ancient history.

Write the top grass radical 艹 first as two crosses (horizontal then vertical), then the bottom part: a horizontal line (一) followed by a vertical line (丨) that goes through the center. A common mistake is making the vertical line too short or breaking it into two separate strokes — it must be one continuous stroke through the horizontal bar.

芈 (mǐ) has a 艹 top with a single horizontal bar and a vertical stroke through it. 兹 (zī) has a 艹 top but below it has two 幺 (silk) components, making it wider and more complex. 艻 (lè) has 艹 top and a 力 (strength) below, giving it a different lower shape. Pay attention to the bottom part — 芈 is unique with its central vertical line.

芈 is a rare ancient Chinese surname, most famously known from the historical figure Mi Yue (芈月), who inspired the popular TV drama "The Legend of Mi Yue" (芈月传). Outside of that surname and related historical references, you will almost never see this character in daily modern Chinese, so it is mainly encountered in historical or cultural contexts.

Common words containing 芈 include: 芈姓 (mǐ xìng) — Mi surname; 芈月传 (mǐ yuè chuán) — The Legend of Mi Yue; 芈月 (mǐ yuè) — Mi Yue (a historical figure).