About
The character 俑, constructed from the person radical 亻 and the phonetic component 甬, has historically referred to burial figures used in tomb contexts. Etymologically, it is associated with the practice of creating human-like substitutes for interment, originating from rituals that once involved actual sacrifices. Over centuries, the term's application narrowed to specifically designate these sculpted tomb attendants, with the character's form remaining unchanged in its written representation.
Etymology Hide
