豹

Pictographic / ideogrammic compound, built on:

豸 — semantic, originally a pictograph of a long, beast-like creature; semantic radical for animals, especially fierce or patterned beasts

勺 / 𠬝 (phonetic in early forms) — contributes sound (pyo / bào)

In bronze and seal script, the top element resembled a stylized spotting pattern, reinforcing the idea of a spotted predator.

Thus, 豹 literally conveys “the spotted beast.”

豹紋 (표문) — leopard pattern; spotted pattern

豹皮 (표피) — leopard skin

雪豹 (설표) — snow leopard

雲豹 (운표) — clouded leopard

金錢豹 (금전표) — leopard cat / ocelot-like species

豹變 (표변) — dramatic change; transformation (originally from 《易經》 meaning rapid and total change, like a leopard changing its spots)

Idiomatic / literary usage

豹狼 (표랑) — leopards and wolves; fierce animals

豹隱 (표은) — “leopard-like hiding,” reclusive seclusion of the virtuous

豹疾 (표질) — extreme swiftness; leopard-like speed

豸 radical in many animal-related characters:

貂 (marten)

貌 (appearance)

貊 (ancient tribes, possibly “white animals”)

貘 (tapir / mythical beast)

豸 radical often indicates:

• fierce animals

• patterned animals

• mythical felines or weasels

Leopard pelts were high-prestige objects in antiquity, symbolizing:

• martial prowess

• high rank

• wilderness strength

• swift action

Even today, 豹變 (“leopard transformation”) expresses a sudden and striking change, identical to the English metaphor “a leopard cannot change its spots,” though used differently.

Connections with martial iconography:

Banners decorated with leopard tails, drums covered in leopard hide, and armor ornamented with leopard patterns were common in ancient Chinese armies to signify:

• courage

• ferocity

• elite status

Classical citations:

《詩經·豳風·七月》 (The Book of Songs)

「豹飾其冠。」

“They adorned their caps with leopard trim” — 豹 used for leopard skin, highly valued in ancient ritual dress.

《史記·刺客列傳》 (Records of the Grand Historian — “Assassins”)

「其疾如風，勇若豹。」

“Swift as the wind, brave like a leopard” — 豹 symbolizing agility and courage.

《禮記·玉藻》 (The Book of Rites)

「豹皮為裘。」

“Leopard skin is used for furs” — Leopard skin was a sign of noble rank.

《後漢書·輿服志》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「豹尾以飾旌旗。」

“Leopard tails were used to adorn military banners” — Sign of martial prestige.