How to Write 箴 (zhēn) — Meaning “admonition/needle”

Imagine a bamboo needle (竹 + 咸) pricking your memory to remember an important proverb. The "咸" part sounds like "xian" which can remind you of "Xian" as in "sharp" — a sharp bamboo point giving you a wise warning.

Start by writing the two halves of the bamboo radical 竹: each half is three strokes (first a short left slant, then a horizontal, then a dot). The bottom part 咸 has a slanting hook (斜钩) that should not be too curved; finish with a small dot on the upper right. Common mistake is forgetting the dot in the bamboo parts or making the hook too round.

The main difference is the bottom part: 箴 has 咸 (meaning "all"), 筠 has 匀 (yún, meaning "even"), and 筢 has 巴 (bā, meaning "claw"). Visually, 箴 looks more balanced with a wider bottom, while 筠 is narrower and 筢 has a square bottom. In meaning, 箴 relates to advice, 筠 refers to bamboo skin or a name, and 筢 is a bamboo rake.

箴 is uncommon in everyday speech but appears in formal or literary contexts, often in the word 箴言 (zhēn yán), meaning a proverb or maxim. You might see it in moral teachings, classical writings, or advice columns. Culturally, it carries a sense of ancient wisdom, like a needle that sews good behavior into one's mind.

Common words containing 箴 include: 箴言 (zhēn yán) — proverb/maxim; 警箴 (jǐng zhēn) — Warning; Admonition; 箴规 (zhēn guī) — admonitions/rules of conduct.