鞏

Core sense: Firmness or security achieved through binding or reinforcement.

• Physical: To bind, lash, or tie up (e.g., reinforcing objects or restraining persons).
• Structural/Strategic: To secure or consolidate, particularly regarding borders, cities, or defensive positions.
• Abstract/Political: The strengthening of non-physical bonds, such as alliances, loyalty, or power.

Functions as both a transitive verb and an adjective. Translators should distinguish between the process (the active consolidation or securing of something) and the result (the state of being secure or unbreakable) based on syntax.

• vs. 結: While 結 focuses on the knot or the act of tying, 鞏 emphasizes the resulting stability of the structure.
• vs. 縛: 縛 typically implies restriction or coercion; 鞏 is more frequently associated with structural integrity and strength.
• vs. 堅: 堅 refers to rigidity or hardness (e.g., stone), whereas 鞏 refers to toughness and security (e.g., bound leather).
• vs. 固: 鞏 suggests active reinforcement, while 固 suggests a settled or inherent solidity.

• Simplified variant: 巩 (U+5DE9).
• Fanqie reading: 居悚.

The glyph evokes the image of lashing components together with leather straps to create structural integrity. In older scripts, care should be taken not to confuse the "leather" component with characters utilizing the 弜 (bow) element.