How to Write 菀 (wǎn) — Meaning “Luxuriant / Lush”

Picture a grassy field (艹) where a winding path (宛) leads through luxuriant plants. The path curves among the thick, lush growth, helping you connect the visual of 'winding' with the meaning of 'lush and luxuriant.'

Write the grass radical (艹) as two horizontal strokes with a short vertical in the center, then add the bottom part 宛: start with the top dot and left hook (宀-like shape), then write the left side 夗 (夕 with an extra dot) and the right side 巳 (three strokes). Keep the bottom component balanced under the grass radical, not too wide.

菀 (wǎn) means 'lush' and uses the grass radical with 宛 (winding). 兹 (zī) means 'this' or 'now' and has a different bottom (two 玄 or a variant), while 苧 (zhù/níng) refers to ramie fiber and uses 宁 below. Visually, 菀 has a winding shape at the bottom, while 兹 has symmetrical components and 苧 has a straight 'cover' structure.

菀 is uncommon in daily speech but appears in classical poetry and nature descriptions, such as the word 菀柳 (lush willow) from ancient texts. It is also used in the phrase 菀菀, which describes lush, vibrant vegetation, often evoking a sense of beauty and vitality in literary contexts.

Common words containing 菀 include: 菀菀 (wǎn wǎn) — Lush and luxuriant; 枯菀 (kū wǎn) — withered and flourishing; ups and downs; 菀柳 (wǎn liǔ) — Luxuriant willow.