How to Write 筮 (shì) — Meaning “divination (using stalks)”

Imagine a shaman (巫) holding a bundle of bamboo sticks (竹), using them to cast a divination. This visual picture connects the two parts directly to the meaning of stalk divination.

Write the top radical 竹 first as two halves (left then right), then the bottom part 巫, which starts with horizontal strokes and two symmetrical "person" components. A common mistake is to confuse the bottom with 工 or 王—remember that 巫 has a central vertical stroke and a balanced structure.

All three share the 竹 radical, but their lower parts change the meaning: 筮 has 巫 (shaman) for divination, 笙 has 生 (life/growth) for a reed instrument, and 笛 has 由 (cause/reason) for a flute. Visually, 筮 is wider due to the symmetrical 巫, while 笙 and 笛 have simpler lower forms.

筮 is very rare in everyday language and appears mostly in historical, classical, or cultural contexts, such as in the word 卜筮 (bǔ shì) meaning divination using shells or stalks. It is also used in specialized terms like 筮法 (shì fǎ, divination method) and is closely tied to ancient Chinese shamanistic practices.

Common words containing 筮 include: 卜筮 (bǔ shì) — divination by stalks or tortoise shells; 筮法 (shì fǎ) — method of divination; 筮草 (shì cǎo) — divination stalks.