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`!`*Siddhāṃ`*`! (also known as `!Kutila`!`:cite-ref-masica-6-4[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-masica-6]`_`f]`:cite-ref-9[`F5bf`_`[8`#cite-note-9]`_`f]) is an `F33f`_`[Indic script`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Brahmic_scripts]`_`f used in India from the 6th century to the 13th century. Also known in its later evolved form as `!Siddhamātṛkā,`! Siddham is a medieval `F33f`_`[Brahmic`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Brahmic_scripts]`_`f `F33f`_`[abugida`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Abugida]`_`f, derived from the `F33f`_`[Gupta script`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Gupta_script]`_`f and ancestral to the `F33f`_`[Nāgarī`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nāgarī_script]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Eastern Nagari`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Eastern_Nagari]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Tirhuta`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tirhuta_script]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Odia`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Odia_script]`_`f and `F33f`_`[Nepalese`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nepalese_scripts]`_`f scripts.`:cite-ref-10[`F5bf`_`[9`#cite-note-10]`_`f]`:cite-ref-11[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-11]`_`f] The Siddham script was widely used by Indian Buddhists and still remains in use by `F33f`_`[East Asian Buddhists`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=East_Asian_Buddhism]`_`f, especially for writing `F33f`_`[mantras`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Mantra]`_`f, `F33f`_`[seed syllables`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Bījamantra]`_`f, and `F33f`_`[dharanis`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Dharani]`_`f.`:cite-ref-12[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-12]`_`f]

The word `*Siddhaṃ`* means "accomplished", "completed" or "perfected" in `F33f`_`[Sanskrit`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Sanskrit]`_`f. The script received its name from the practice of writing `*`*Siddhaṃ`*`*, or `*`*Siddhaṃ astu`*`* ('may there be perfection'), at the head of documents. Other names for the script include `*bonji`* (`F33f`_`[Japanese`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Japanese_language]`_`f: 梵字) "`F33f`_`[Brahma`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Brahma]`_`f's characters" and "Sanskrit script" and `F33f`_`[Chinese`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Traditional_Chinese_characters]`_`f: 悉曇文字; `F33f`_`[pinyin`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Pinyin]`_`f: `*Xītán wénzi`* "Siddhaṃ script".

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[History`#history]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Characteristics`#characteristics]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Vowels`#vowels]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Consonants`#consonants]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Conjuncts`#conjuncts]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Usage`#usage]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Siddhaṃ fonts`#siddha-fonts]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Unicode`#unicode]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Gallery`#gallery]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Notes`#notes]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Citations`#citations]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Sources`#sources]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f

-─

>>History

The `*Siddham`* script evolved from the Gupta Brahmi script in the late 6th century CE.`:cite-ref-singh-2008-1-1[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-singh-2008-1]`_`f]

Many `F33f`_`[Buddhist texts`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Buddhist_texts]`_`f taken to China along the `F33f`_`[Silk Road`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Silk_Road]`_`f were written using a version of the `*Siddhaṃ`* script. This continued to evolve, and minor variations are seen across time, and in different regions. Importantly, it was used for transmitting the Buddhist `F33f`_`[tantra`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tantra]`_`f texts. At the time it was considered important to preserve the pronunciation of mantras, and Chinese was not suitable for writing the sounds of Sanskrit. This led to the retention of the `*Siddhaṃ`* script in East Asia. The practice of writing using `*Siddhaṃ`* survived in East Asia where `F33f`_`[Chinese Esoteric Buddhism`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Chinese_Esoteric_Buddhism]`_`f persisted.

`F33f`_`[Kūkai`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Kūkai]`_`f introduced the `*Siddhaṃ`* script to Japan when he returned from China in 806, where he studied Sanskrit with `F33f`_`[Nalanda`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nalanda]`_`f-trained monks including one known as Prajñā (`F33f`_`[Chinese`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Chinese_language]`_`f: 般若三藏; `F33f`_`[pinyin`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Pinyin]`_`f: `*Bōrě Sāncáng`*; 734–c. 810). By the time Kūkai learned this script, the trading and pilgrimage routes over land to India had been closed by the expanding `F33f`_`[Abbasid Caliphate`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Abbasid_Caliphate]`_`f.`:cite-ref-13[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-13]`_`f]

In the middle of the 9th century, China experienced a `F33f`_`[series of purges`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Huichang_persecution_of_Buddhism]`_`f of "foreign religions", thus cutting Japan off from the sources of `*Siddhaṃ`* texts. In time, other scripts, particularly `F33f`_`[Devanagari`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Devanagari]`_`f, replaced `*Siddhaṃ`* in India, while `*Siddhaṃ`*'s northeastern derivative called `F33f`_`[Gaudi`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Gaudi_script]`_`f evolved to become the `F33f`_`[Eastern Nagari`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Eastern_Nagari]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Tirhuta`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tirhuta_script]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Odia`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Odia_script]`_`f and also the `F33f`_`[Nepalese`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nepalese_scripts]`_`f scripts in the eastern and `F33f`_`[northeastern`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Northeast_India]`_`f regions of `F33f`_`[South Asia`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=South_Asia]`_`f,`:cite-ref-salomon-14-0[`F5bf`_`[13`#cite-note-salomon-14]`_`f]`:cite-ref-15[`F5bf`_`[14`#cite-note-15]`_`f] leaving East Asia as the only region where `*Siddhaṃ`* is still used.

There were special forms of Siddhaṃ used in Korea that varied significantly from those used in China and Japan, and there is evidence that Siddhaṃ was written in `F33f`_`[Central Asia`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Central_Asia]`_`f, as well, by the early 7th century.

As was done with Chinese characters, Japanese Buddhist scholars sometimes created multiple characters with the same phonological value to add meaning to Siddhaṃ characters. This practice, in effect, represents a 'blend' of the Chinese style of writing and the Indian style of writing and allows Sanskrit texts in Siddhaṃ to be differentially interpreted as they are read, as was done with Chinese characters that the Japanese had adopted. This led to multiple variants of the same characters.`:cite-ref-16[`F5bf`_`[15`#cite-note-16]`_`f]

>>Characteristics

`*Siddhaṃ`* is an `F33f`_`[abugida`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Abugida]`_`f rather than an `F33f`_`[alphabet`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Alphabet]`_`f, as each character indicates a syllable, including a consonant and (possibly) a vowel. If the vowel sound is not explicitly indicated, the short 'a' is assumed. Diacritic marks are used to indicate other vowels, as well as the `F33f`_`[anusvara`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Anusvara]`_`f and `F33f`_`[visarga`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Visarga]`_`f. A `F33f`_`[virama`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Virama]`_`f can be used to indicate that the consonant letter stands alone with no vowel, which sometimes happens at the end of Sanskrit words.

Siddhaṃ texts were usually written from left to right then top to bottom, as with other Brahmic scripts, but occasionally they were written in the traditional Chinese style, from top to bottom then right to left. Bilingual Siddhaṃ-Japanese texts show the manuscript turned 90 degrees clockwise and the Japanese is written from top to bottom, as is typical of Japanese, and then the manuscript is turned back again, and the Siddhaṃ writing is continued from left to right (the resulting Japanese characters appear sideways).

Over time, additional markings were developed, including punctuation marks, head marks, repetition marks, end marks, special ligatures to combine conjuncts and rarely to combine syllables, and several ornaments of the scribe's choice, which are not currently encoded. The `*`F33f`_`[nuqta`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nuqta]`_`f`* is also used in some modern Siddhaṃ texts.

>>>Vowels

Independent form Bound form on ⟨𑖎𑖿𑖧⟩ Independent form Bound form on ⟨𑖎𑖿𑖧⟩ 𑖀a 𑖎𑖿𑖧 𑖁ā 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖯 𑖂i 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖰 𑖃ī 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖱 𑖄u 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖲 𑖅ū 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖳 𑖊e 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖸 𑖋ai 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖹 𑖌o 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖺 𑖍au 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖻 𑖀𑖽aṃ 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖽 𑖀𑖾aḥ 𑖎𑖿𑖧𑖾

Alternative forms `*ā`* `*i`* `*i`* `*ī`* `*ī`* `*u`* `*ū`* `*o`* `*au`* `*aṃ`*

Independent form Bound form on ⟨𑖎𑖿𑖧⟩ Independent form Bound form on ⟨𑖎𑖿𑖧⟩ 𑖆ṛ 𑖎𑖴ṛ 𑖇ṝ 𑖎𑖵150%ṝ 𑖈ḷ 𑖉ḹ

>>>Consonants

`F33f`_`[Stop`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Stop_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Approximant`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Approximant_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Fricative`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Fricative_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Tenuis`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tenuis_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Aspirated`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Aspirated_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Voiced`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Voice_(phonetics)]`_`f `F33f`_`[Breathy voiced`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Breathy_voice]`_`f `F33f`_`[Nasal`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Nasal_consonant]`_`f `F33f`_`[Glottal`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Glottal_consonant]`_`f 𑖮h `F33f`_`[Velar`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Velar_consonant]`_`f 𑖎k 𑖏kh 𑖐g 𑖑gh 𑖒ṅ `F33f`_`[Palatal`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Palatal_consonant]`_`f 𑖓c 𑖔ch 𑖕j 𑖖jh 𑖗ñ 𑖧y 𑖫ś `F33f`_`[Retroflex`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Retroflex_consonant]`_`f 𑖘ṭ 𑖙ṭh 𑖚ḍ 𑖛ḍh 𑖜ṇ 𑖨r 𑖬ṣ `F33f`_`[Dental`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Dental_consonant]`_`f 𑖝t 𑖞th 𑖟d 𑖠dh 𑖡n 𑖩l 𑖭s `F33f`_`[Bilabial`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Bilabial_consonant]`_`f 𑖢p 𑖣ph 𑖤b 𑖥bh 𑖦m `F33f`_`[Labiodental`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Labiodental_consonant]`_`f 𑖪v

Conjuncts in alphabet 𑖎𑖿𑖬kṣ 𑖩𑖿𑖩𑖽llaṃ

Alternative forms `*ch`* `*j`* `*ñ`* `*ṭ`* `*ṭh`* `*ḍh`* `*ḍh`* `*ṇ`* `*ṇ`* `*th`* `*th`* `*dh`* `*n`* `*m`* `*ś`* `*ś`* `*v`*

>>>Conjuncts

k ⋯ ⋯ {\\displaystyle \\cdots } kṣ -ya -ra -la -va -ma -na 𑖎 `*k`* 𑖎𑖿𑖧 `*kya`* 𑖎𑖿𑖨 `*kra`* 𑖎𑖿𑖩 `*kla`* 𑖎𑖿𑖪 `*kva`* 𑖎𑖿𑖦 `*kma`* 𑖎𑖿𑖡 `*kna`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎 `*rk`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖧 `*rkya`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖨 `*rkra`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖩 `*rkla`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖪 `*rkva`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖦 `*rkma`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖡 `*rkna`* 𑖏 `*kh`* ⋯ ⋯ {\\displaystyle \\cdots } ⋮ ⋮ {\\displaystyle \\vdots } total 68 rows.

• ↑ The combinations that contain adjoining duplicate letters should be deleted in this table.

𑖒𑖿𑖎 `*ṅka`* 𑖒𑖿𑖏 `*ṅkha`* 𑖒𑖿𑖐 `*ṅga`* 𑖒𑖿𑖑 `*ṅgha`* 𑖗𑖿𑖓 `*ñca`* 𑖗𑖿𑖔 `*ñcha`* 𑖗𑖿𑖕 `*ñja`* 𑖗𑖿𑖖 `*ñjha`* 𑖜𑖿𑖘 `*ṇṭa`* 𑖜𑖿𑖙 `*ṇṭha`* 𑖜𑖿𑖚 `*ṇḍa`* 𑖜𑖿𑖛 `*ṇḍha`* 𑖡𑖿𑖝 `*nta`* 𑖡𑖿𑖞 `*ntha`* 𑖡𑖿𑖟 `*nda`* 𑖡𑖿𑖠 `*ndha`* 𑖦𑖿𑖢 `*mpa`* 𑖦𑖿𑖣 `*mpha`* 𑖦𑖿𑖤 `*mba`* 𑖦𑖿𑖥 `*mbha`*

𑖒𑖿𑖧 `*ṅya`* 𑖒𑖿𑖨 `*ṅra`* 𑖒𑖿𑖩 `*ṅla`* 𑖒𑖿𑖪 `*ṅva`* 𑖒𑖿𑖫 `*ṅśa`* 𑖒𑖿𑖬 `*ṅṣa`* 𑖒𑖿𑖭 `*ṅsa`* 𑖒𑖿𑖮 `*ṅha`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖬 `*ṅkṣa`*

𑖭𑖿𑖎 `*ska`* 𑖭𑖿𑖏 `*skha`* 𑖟𑖿𑖐 `*dga`* 𑖟𑖿𑖑 `*dgha`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖝𑖿𑖨 `*ṅktra`* 𑖪𑖿𑖓 `*vca`*/`*bca`* 𑖪𑖿𑖔 `*vcha`*/`*bcha`* 𑖪𑖿𑖕 `*vja`*/`*bja`* 𑖪𑖿𑖖 `*vjha`*/`*bjha`* 𑖕𑖿𑖗 `*jña`* 𑖬𑖿𑖘 `*ṣṭa`* 𑖬𑖿𑖙 `*ṣṭha`* 𑖟𑖿𑖚 `*dḍa`* 𑖟𑖿𑖛 `*dḍha`* 𑖬𑖿𑖜 `*ṣṇa`* 𑖭𑖿𑖝 `*sta`* 𑖭𑖿𑖞 `*stha`* 𑖪𑖿𑖟 `*vda`*/`*bda`* 𑖪𑖿𑖠 `*vdha`*/`*bdha`* 𑖨𑖿𑖝𑖿𑖭𑖿𑖡 `*rtsna`* 𑖭𑖿𑖢 `*spa`* 𑖭𑖿𑖣 `*spha`* 𑖟𑖿𑖤 `*dba`* 𑖟𑖿𑖥 `*dbha`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖬𑖿𑖦 `*rkṣma`*

𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖬𑖿𑖪𑖿𑖧 `*rkṣvya`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖬𑖿𑖪𑖿𑖨𑖿𑖧 `*rkṣvrya`* 𑖩𑖿𑖝 `*lta`* 𑖝𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖪 `*tkva`* 𑖘𑖿𑖫 `*ṭśa`* 𑖘𑖿𑖬 `*ṭṣa`* 𑖭𑖿𑖮 `*sha`* 𑖤𑖿𑖎𑖿𑖬 `*bkṣa`*

𑖢𑖿𑖝 `*pta`* 𑖘𑖿𑖎 `*ṭka`* 𑖟𑖿𑖭𑖿𑖪 `*dsva`* 𑖘𑖿𑖬𑖿𑖔𑖿𑖨 `*ṭṣchra`*

𑖕𑖿𑖕 `*jja`* 𑖘𑖿𑖘 `*ṭṭa`* 𑖜𑖿𑖜 `*ṇṇa`* 𑖝𑖿𑖝 `*tta`* 𑖡𑖿𑖡 `*nna`* 𑖦𑖿𑖦 `*mma`* 𑖩𑖿𑖩 `*lla`* 𑖪𑖿𑖪 `*vva`* ⋯ ⋯ {\\displaystyle \\cdots }

Alternative forms of conjuncts that contain `*ṇ`*.

𑖜𑖿𑖘 `*ṇṭa`* 𑖜𑖿𑖙 `*ṇṭha`* 𑖜𑖿𑖚 `*ṇḍa`* 𑖜𑖿𑖛 `*ṇḍha`*

>>>>ṛ syllables

𑖎𑖴 `*kṛ`* 𑖏𑖴 `*khṛ`* 𑖐𑖴 `*gṛ`* 𑖑𑖴 `*ghṛ`* 𑖒𑖴 `*ṅṛ`* 𑖓𑖴 `*cṛ`* 𑖔𑖴 `*chṛ`* 𑖕𑖴 `*jṛ`* 𑖖𑖴 `*jhṛ`* 𑖗𑖴 `*ñṛ`* ⋯ ⋯ {\\displaystyle \\cdots }

>>>>Some sample syllables

𑖨𑖿𑖎 `*rka`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖯 `*rkā`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖰 `*rki`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖱 `*rkī`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖲 `*rku`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖳 `*rkū`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖸 `*rke`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖹 `*rkai`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖺 `*rko`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖻 `*rkau`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖽 `*rkaṃ`* 𑖨𑖿𑖎𑖾 `*rkaḥ`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎 `*ṅka`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖯 `*ṅkā`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖰 `*ṅki`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖱 `*ṅkī`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖲 `*ṅku`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖳 `*ṅkū`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖸 `*ṅke`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖹 `*ṅkai`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖺 `*ṅko`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖻 `*ṅkau`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖽 `*ṅkaṃ`* 𑖒𑖿𑖎𑖾 `*ṅkaḥ`*

>>Usage

In `F33f`_`[Japan`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Japan]`_`f, the writing of `F33f`_`[mantras`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Mantra]`_`f and copying/reading of `F33f`_`[sutras`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Sutra]`_`f using the `*Siddhaṃ`* script is still practiced in the esoteric schools of `F33f`_`[Shingon Buddhism`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Shingon_Buddhism]`_`f and `F33f`_`[Tendai`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tendai]`_`f as well as in the syncretic sect of `F33f`_`[Shugendō`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Shugendō]`_`f. The characters are known as `*Bonji`* (梵字; Chinese: `*Fànzì`*) or `*shittan`* (悉曇). The `F33f`_`[Taishō Tripiṭaka`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Taishō_Tripiṭaka]`_`f version of the `F33f`_`[Chinese Buddhist canon`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Chinese_Buddhist_canon]`_`f preserves the `*Siddhaṃ`* characters for most mantras, and Korean Buddhists still write `F33f`_`[bījas`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Bīja]`_`f in a modified form of `*Siddhaṃ`*. A recent innovation is the writing of Japanese language slogans on T-shirts using Bonji. Japanese `*Siddhaṃ`* has evolved from the original script used to write sūtras and is now somewhat different from the ancient script.`:cite-ref-17[`F5bf`_`[16`#cite-note-17]`_`f]`:cite-ref-18[`F5bf`_`[17`#cite-note-18]`_`f]`:cite-ref-19[`F5bf`_`[18`#cite-note-19]`_`f]

It is typical to see `*Siddhaṃ`* written with a brush, as with Chinese writing; it is also written with a bamboo pen. In Japan, a special brush called a `*bokuhitsu`* (朴筆; Cantonese: `*pokbat`*) is used for formal `*Siddhaṃ`* calligraphy. The informal style is known as "fude" (筆; Cantonese: "moubat").

>>Siddhaṃ fonts

`*Siddhaṃ`* is still largely a hand written script. Some efforts have been made to create computer fonts, though to date none of these are capable of reproducing all of the `*Siddhaṃ`* conjunct consonants. Notably, the Chinese Buddhist Electronic Texts Association has created a `*Siddhaṃ`* font for their electronic version of the Taisho `*Tripiṭaka`*, though this does not contain all possible conjuncts. The software `F33f`_`[Mojikyo`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Mojikyo]`_`f also contains fonts for Siddhaṃ, but split Siddhaṃ in different blocks and requires multiple fonts to render a single document.

A `*Siddhaṃ`* input system which relies on the CBETA font Siddhamkey 3.0 has been produced.

>>Unicode

Siddhaṃ script was added to the `F33f`_`[Unicode`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Unicode]`_`f Standard in June 2014 with the release of version 7.0.

The Unicode block for Siddhaṃ is U+11580–U+115FF:

`t
| Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) | Siddham [1] [2] Official Unicode Consortium code chart (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| U+1158x | 𑖀 | 𑖁 | 𑖂 | 𑖃 | 𑖄 | 𑖅 | 𑖆 | 𑖇 | 𑖈 | 𑖉 | 𑖊 | 𑖋 | 𑖌 | 𑖍 | 𑖎 | 𑖏 |
| U+1159x | 𑖐 | 𑖑 | 𑖒 | 𑖓 | 𑖔 | 𑖕 | 𑖖 | 𑖗 | 𑖘 | 𑖙 | 𑖚 | 𑖛 | 𑖜 | 𑖝 | 𑖞 | 𑖟 |
| U+115Ax | 𑖠 | 𑖡 | 𑖢 | 𑖣 | 𑖤 | 𑖥 | 𑖦 | 𑖧 | 𑖨 | 𑖩 | 𑖪 | 𑖫 | 𑖬 | 𑖭 | 𑖮 | 𑖯 |
| U+115Bx | 𑖰 | 𑖱 | 𑖲 | 𑖳 | 𑖴 | 𑖵 | | | 𑖸 | 𑖹 | 𑖺 | 𑖻 | 𑖼 | 𑖽 | 𑖾 | 𑖿 |
| U+115Cx | 𑗀 | 𑗁 | 𑗂 | 𑗃 | 𑗄 | 𑗅 | 𑗆 | 𑗇 | 𑗈 | 𑗉 | 𑗊 | 𑗋 | 𑗌 | 𑗍 | 𑗎 | 𑗏 |
| U+115Dx | 𑗐 | 𑗑 | 𑗒 | 𑗓 | 𑗔 | 𑗕 | 𑗖 | 𑗗 | 𑗘 | 𑗙 | 𑗚 | 𑗛 | 𑗜 | 𑗝 | | |
| U+115Ex | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U+115Fx | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points | Notes 1. ^ As of Unicode version 16.0 2. ^ Grey areas indicate non-assigned code points |
`t

>>Gallery

This is a gallery of example usages of the Siddham script.

>>Notes

`:cite-note-2`!1.`! Its usage survives into the modern period for liturgical purposes in Japan and Korea.

>>References

>>>Citations

`:cite-note-singh-2008-1`!1.`! `:citerefsingh2008`aSingh, Upinder (2008). `*A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century`*. Delhi: Pearson. p. 43. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 9788131716779.
`:cite-note-archive-org-3`!2.`! https://archive.org/details/epigraphyindianepigraphyrichardsalmonoup_908_D/mode/2up,p39-41
`:cite-note-books-google-com-4`!3.`! `:citerefmalatesha-joshimcbride2019`aMalatesha Joshi, R.; McBride, Catherine (11 June 2019). `*Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography`*. Springer. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 9783030059774.
`:cite-note-daniels-5`!4.`! `:citerefdaniels2008`aDaniels, P.T. (January 2008). "Writing systems of major and minor languages". `B100`F9d9{{cite journal}}`f`b: Cite journal requires `B100`F9d9|journal=`f`b (help)
`:cite-note-masica-6`!5.`! `:citerefmasica1993`aMasica, Colin (1993). `*The Indo-Aryan languages`*. p. 143.
`:cite-note-7`!5.`! `:citerefcardonajain2003`aCardona, George; Jain, Dhanesh (2003). `*The Indo-Aryan Languages`*. Routledge language family series. London: Routledge. p. 109. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 0-7007-1130-9. In the northeast, meanwhile separately evolved into a form referred to as 'proto-Bengali' or Gaudī, which prevailed until the fourteenth century, by which time it had begun to be differentiated into the modern eastern scripts, Bangla-Asamiya, Maithilī and Oriya.
`:cite-note-8`!6.`! Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography, R. Malatesha Joshi, Catherine McBride (2019), p. 27.
`:cite-note-9`!8.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-9]`_`f "Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary 1899 Basic". `*www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de`*. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
`:cite-note-10`!9.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-10]`_`f "Devanagari: Development, Amplification, and Standardisation". Central Hindi Directorate, Ministry of Education and Social Welfare, Govt. of India. 3 April 1977. Retrieved 3 April 2018 – via Google Books.
`:cite-note-11`!10.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-11]`_`f `:citerefrajansharma2012`aRajan, Vinodh; Sharma, Shriramana (2012-06-28). "L2/12-221: Comments on naming the "Siddham" encoding" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-08-19.
`:cite-note-12`!11.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-12]`_`f Chaudhuri, Saroj Kumar. `*Sanskrit in China and Japan`*. New Delhi: International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan, 2011.
`:cite-note-13`!12.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-13]`_`f `:citerefpandey2012`aPandey, Anshuman (2012-08-01). "N4294: Proposal to Encode the Siddham Script in ISO/IEC 10646" (PDF). Working Group Document, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC2/WG2.
`:cite-note-salomon-14`!13.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-salomon-14-0]`_`f `:citerefsalomon1998`aSalomon, Richard (1998). `*Indian Epigraphy`*. Oxford University Press. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 978-0-19-535666-3.
`:cite-note-15`!14.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-15]`_`f Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography, R. Malatesha Joshi, Catherine McBride(2019)
`:cite-note-16`!15.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-16]`_`f `:citerefkawabatasuzukinagasakishimoda2013`aKawabata, Taichi; Suzuki, Toshiya; Nagasaki, Kiyonori; Shimoda, Masahiro (2013-06-11). "N4407R: Proposal to Encode Variants for Siddham Script" (PDF). Working Group Document, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC2/WG2.
`:cite-note-17`!16.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-17]`_`f SM Dine, 2012, Sanskrit Beyond Text: The Use of Bonji (Siddham) in Mandala and Other Imagery in Ancient and Medieval Japan, `F33f`_`[University of Washington`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=University_of_Washington]`_`f.
`:cite-note-18`!17.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-18]`_`f Siddhaṃ : the perfect script.
`:cite-note-19`!18.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-19]`_`f Buddhism guide: Shingon.
`:cite-note-footnotee-museum2018-20`!7.`! `F33f`_`[e-museum 2018`#citerefe-museum2018]`_`f Ink on pattra (palmyra leaves used for writing upon) ink on paper Heart Sutra: 4.9x28.0 Dharani: 4.9x27.9/10.0x28.3 Late Gupta period/7–8th century Tokyo National Museum N-8. sfn error: no target: CITEREFe-museum2018 (help)

>>>Sources

• `*Bonji Taikan`* (梵字大鑑). (Tōkyō: Meicho Fukyūkai, 1983)
• Chaudhuri, Saroj Kumar (1998). Siddham in China and Japan, Sino-Platonic papers No. 88
• `:citerefe-museum2025`ae-Museum, National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties of National Museums, Japan (2025), "Sanskrit Version of Heart Sutra and Viyaya Dharani", `*e-Museum`*`B100`F9d9{{citation}}`f`b: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Stevens, John. `*Sacred Calligraphy of the East`*. (Boston, MA: Shambala, 1995.)
• Van Gulik, R.H. `*Siddham: An Essay on the History of Sanskrit Studies in China and Japan`* (New Delhi, Jayyed Press, 1981).
• Yamasaki, Taikō. `*Shingon: Japanese Esoteric Buddhism`*. (Fresno: Shingon Buddhist International Institute, 1988.)
• Chandra, Lokesh (1965) `*Sanskrit bījas and mantras in Japan`*, New Delhi , International Academy of Indian Culture, BQ5125.B5 A75 1965

>>External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to

Siddham script

.

• Fonts:

• Noto Sans Siddham from the `F33f`_`[Noto fonts`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Noto_fonts]`_`f project
• Muktamsiddham—Free Unicode Siddham font
• ApDevaSiddham—(Japanese) Free Unicode 8.0 Siddham Font (mirror)

• Siddham alphabet on Omniglot
• Examples of Siddham mantras Chinese language website.
• Visible Mantra an extensive collection of mantras and some sūtras in Siddhaṃ script
• Bonji Siddham Character and Pronunciation
• SiddhamKey Software for inputting Siddham characters

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