豹

// The animal (//Panthera pardus*).

• Metonym for leopard skin or pelt; in contexts of court life, ritual, or wealth, it denotes a luxury material and marker of prestige.
• In the dyad 虎豹 (tiger and leopard), it often shifts from a biological description to a compound category denoting predatory power, ferocity, or—in legal and philosophical texts—the severity of punishment.

Contrast with 彪 (//biāo//): while both refer to large spotted/striped cats, 彪 focuses on the markings (stripes) and is more frequently used metaphorically regarding a striking appearance or extraordinary talent; 豹 remains the more concrete term for the animal or its skin.

// In military contexts—particularly when appearing near terms for banners (//qí*) or armor—the glyph likely refers to officer's regalia or heraldic devices used to signal rank or command.

• If appearing in a list of names or titles, treat as a surname.