231) 十

shi

ten; 10

The number 10 was originally written as single vertical line (丨) but later added a horizontal line to reduce confusion.

231a) 什

shen

assorted; miscellaneous

person 亻⁷⁰[rén] + ten 十 [shí]

Signifies ten (十) of miscellaneous people (亻) forming an assorted group.

231b) 南

nan

south

hanger decorations 十 [symbol] + musical instrument [symbol]

A clear-sounding percussion instrument (symbol) with hanging decorations (十) used in southern China, which eventually became to mean south.

231c) 单

dan

single

A sword is added on the traditional double-edged Chinese shield (shield/dry 干 [gān]), allowing the wearer to hunt with only single apparatus as the shield now doubles as offensive weapon.

231d) 千

qian

thousand

line 丿²³⁴[piě] + ten 十 [shí]

Number ten “十” is given an additional line (丿) to signify a hundred times of itself – one thousand.

231e) 伞

san

umbrella

canopy [symbol] + frame [symbol] + handle 十 [symbol]

This character reflects the image of an unfolded umbrella which consists of canopy (symbol), frame (symbol) and handle (十).