How to Write 铉 (xuàn) — Meaning “tripod handle”

Imagine a metal tripod handle that is so mysterious and 'profound' (玄) that it glows with a dark, metallic shine. Think of 'metal' (钅) holding a 'dark' ring (玄) — that ring is the handle.

Write the left radical 钅 first: three strokes (short horizontal, then horizontal-vertical-hook, then two dots inside). Then write 玄: first dot, then horizontal-left-falling, then folding hook, then final dot; be careful not to mix up the order of the two dots in 玄. A common mistake is making the right side too wide — keep the whole character balanced and narrower.

钍 (tǔ) contains the radical 土 (earth) and names the element thorium, while 钎 (qiān) has 千 (thousand) and means a drill rod or brazing rod. In contrast, 铉 (xuàn) specifically means 'tripod handle' and always has 玄 on the right, so focus on the different right-side components: 土 vs. 千 vs. 玄.

铉 is rare in daily conversation but appears in classical or literary references like 鼎铉 ('tripod handles') which metaphorically represent high-ranking officials. You might also see it in specialized contexts like 铉子 for a shallow metal pan or 铉台 for a tripod stand. It is not an HSK character, so it carries a formal, antique feel.

Common words containing 铉 include: 鼎铉 (dǐng xuàn) — tripod handles (symbolizing high office); 铉台 (xuàn tái) — tripod stand; 铉子 (xuàn zi) — shallow metal pan.