Term
|
Definition
minister, official, vassal, courtier
side way's version of 目 - a bulging wide open eye, suggesting an official looking down at the subordinates who are kneeling in an act of submission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(fine) silk, thread
纟 in simplified form
The "knots" (丷) at the bottom symbolizes tied silk strands, while 纟represents thread in motion
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
tight, tense; urgent
harden (qian) + thread (si)
a hand (又) is gripping a minister (臣) by his silk skirt and belt, so that the loose threads (糸) could be urgently tighten (like tuning a string instrument to the perfect tension) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
firm, strong, solid
hard, resolute
harden (qian) ??? + soil (tu)
a hand is pressing a kneeling minister into the earth to prove who is strong, hard, firm and resolute
臤 (firm, resilient) represents the human willpower combined with the earth as the ultimate foundation, and the solidity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
firm, resilient
a hand (又) gripping the neck or arm of a kneeling person (臣), suggesting physical restraint (like subduing someone), or steadfastness (holding firm under pressure) when a hand (又) is pressing a kneeling minister (臣), it wants to prove its firmness |
|
|