How to write 巫

巫 [wū] 名 1. A person who prays to spirits and deceives others for wealth. Example: 巫婆 (witch), 女巫 (female witch), 男巫 (male witch), 巫术 (shamanism), 小巫见大巫 (the small is dwarfed by the great). 2. A surname. 本义: An ancient term for those who could summon spirits through dance. 造字法: Pictogram; according to oracle bone inscriptions, it represents the tools used by ancient female shamans. The small seal script resembles the form of a female shaman dancing with flowing sleeves. 1. Same as the original meaning (shamman; witch). 引: 1. 《说文》: 巫, 祝也。女能事无形，以舞降神者也。 (The shaman is a deity; a woman who can summon the formless to descend with dance.) 2. 《聊斋志异·促织》: A hunchbacked shaman. 3. The shaman looked up to the void. 4. 唐·韩愈《师说》: Shamen, doctors, musicians, and artisans. 2. During the Shang Dynasty, shamans held a higher status. In the Zhou Dynasty, male and female shamans had different roles, both serving as shamans. After the Spring and Autumn period, medicine gradually separated from shamanism. 引: 1. 《韩非子·外储说右上》: There are rumors of a shaman named Cai. 2. 《韩非子·显学》: Today, shamanic priests say: “May you live for a thousand years.” 3. 《史记·滑稽列传》: Those who had beautiful daughters feared that a great shaman would take them for the River God. 例: 如: 巫女 (巫婆,巫妪), 巫史 (ancient individuals who prayed to spirits to relay messages, i.e. shamans), 巫尪 (ancient rain-praying female shaman), 巫步 (a specific step used by shamans during rituals), 巫东由人 (Malays), 巫神自荐 (referring to a woman taking the initiative to express affection), 巫蛊厌睐 (superstitious practices invoking curses or prayers for harm). 3. In ancient China, doctors were also referred to as “巫” (doctor). 例: 如: 巫蛊厌睐 (superstitious techniques invoking curses or prayers to harm others). 4. 巫州 (Wu prefecture). Established during the Tang Dynasty, its administrative centre is now Qiancheng Town, southeast of Qianyang County, Hunan Province. 5. An ancient county name (Wu county). Established during the Qin Dynasty and later recognized by the Han Dynasty, its administrative centre is now east of Wushan County, Sichuan Province. 6. 巫山 (Wu mountain) 7. Located in the southeast of Wushan County, Sichuan Province. 例: 如: 巫山梦 (dream of Wu Mountain; from the Warring States period, when King Xiang of Chu traveled to Yunmeng seal and dreamt of a woman claiming to be the daughter of Wu Mountain, their encounter was filled with joy), 巫峡雨 (referring to intimate rendezvous), 巫山一段云 (describing a woman's beautiful hair or figure), 巫山云雨 (the clouds of Wu Mountain; implying romantic encounters), 巫娥 (the goddess of Wu Mountain). 8. Located northwest of Feicheng County, Shandong Province. 9. Also located east of Chengbu County, Hunan Province. 引: 1. 清·顾祖禹《读史方舆纪要》: [Chengbu County] also has Wu Mountain, which originates from Wushui (the Wu River). (*Adapted from traditional dictionary explanations.) (Note: There is a note regarding pronunciation.)