The word 四周 is formed through a direct spatial combination of its two component characters: 四 meaning "four" and 周 meaning "to encircle" or "to surround". Together, they create a visual and conceptual image of the four cardinal directions, or all sides, encircling a central point, thus forming the meaning "all around" or "on all sides". It is a literal fusion of number and action to depict a complete perimeter.