How to Write 筌 (quán) — Meaning “Bamboo fish trap”

Picture a bamboo basket (竹) that is "complete" (全) because it catches fish perfectly. Imagine the 全 as a net inside the bamboo frame that fully captures the fish, making the trap effective.

The top radical 竹 must be written symmetrically, with two small strokes (丿 and 一) on each side. The bottom part 全 starts with a horizontal stroke from left to right, then a vertical stroke down, two horizontals, and a final horizontal; be sure to keep the bottom balanced under the bamboo top.

筌 has 全 below the bamboo radical and means a fish trap. 笄 (jī) has 开 (open) below and means a hairpin, while 笆 (bā) has 巴 (snake-like shape) below and means a bamboo fence. The different bottom parts give each character its distinct meaning.

筌 is rarely used alone today; it mainly appears in the idiom 得鱼忘筌 (dé yú wàng quán), meaning 'to forget the means once the end is achieved.' This idiom originates from the Zhuangzi, reminding people not to forget the tools or methods after reaching a goal.

Common words containing 筌 include: 鱼筌 (yú quán) — Bamboo fish trap; 得鱼忘筌 (dé yú wàng quán) — To forget the means once the end is achieved.; 竹筌 (zhú quán) — Bamboo fish trap.