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祆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
祆xiānOrmazda, the Zoroastrian sun godx, 8 strokes, radical 礻
祆xiānOrmazda, the Sun God of the Zoroastrians and Manicheansunknown, 8 strokes, radical 礻
祆xiānthe Sun Godunknown, 8 strokes, radical 礻
xiān(Xian1) T1
  1. 1Ormazda, the Zoroastrian sun god
  2. 2Ormazda, the Sun God of the Zoroastrians and Manicheans
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

祆xiān(Xian1)

The character 祆 (xiān) refers to the Zoroastrian sun god, Ormazda. It is primarily used in historical and religious contexts, particularly when discussing Zoroastrianism and its influence on other religions, such as Manichaeism. This term embodies the concept of a deity associated with light and goodness.

Strokes8Radical礻
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the recognition of 祆 emphasizes the historical connections between different religions. Zoroastrianism has influenced various cultural and religious developments, and understanding this term can provide insight into the broader religious landscape of ancient civilizations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shining sun (representing Ormazda) illuminating the world. The character 祆 combines the radical for 'spirit' (示) and an element that resembles a source of light, hinting at its divine and illuminating qualities. Picture 'xiān' as the sound of the sun greeting the day.

Meanings of 祆

xiān(Xian1)
1Ormazda, the Zoroastrian sun god
2Ormazda, the Sun God of the Zoroastrians and Manicheans
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 祆

祆Simplified
8Strokes
礻Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 祆

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Podcast: 祆

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AI Study Notes for 祆

Usage Notes

When using 祆, it is important to clarify the context, as it is a specialized term not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more appropriate in academic or religious discussions. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing 'xiān' can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though 祆 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it offers learners a glimpse into the intersection of language and religion. Students should focus on understanding its context within Zoroastrianism and related discussions, which can enhance their cultural literacy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 祆 with similar-looking characters that pertain to different concepts. For instance, using 祆 incorrectly in a sentence about everyday topics can lead to confusion. Always ensure clarity by using it in appropriate religious or historical discussions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 祆

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Etymology of 祆

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A spirit 礻 in the sky 天; 天 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 祆

  1. 1The giveawayA spirit 礻 in the sky 天; 天 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 祆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 祆?

Decomposition of 祆

IDS Structure⿰礻天
祆Full Character
=
礻shi4
left
天tian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 祆?

How to say Ormazda, the Zoroastrian sun god in Chinese

“Ormazda, the Zoroastrian sun god” in Chinese is祆xiān

The character 祆 (xiān) refers to the Zoroastrian sun god, Ormazda. It is primarily used in historical and religious contexts, particularly when discussing Zoroastrianism and its influence on other religions, such as Manichaeism. This term embodies the concept of a deity associated with light and goodness.

When to use 祆

When using 祆, it is important to clarify the context, as it is a specialized term not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more appropriate in academic or religious discussions. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing 'xiān' can change the meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 祆 with similar-looking characters that pertain to different concepts. For instance, using 祆 incorrectly in a sentence about everyday topics can lead to confusion. Always ensure clarity by using it in appropriate religious or historical discussions.

Write 祆

祆

Practice writing 祆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 祆

Words Containing This Character2
祆xiānthe Sun God
祆教Zoroastrianism
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 祆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 祆

祆 symbolizes Ormazda, the supreme god of light and goodness in Zoroastrianism.

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