Definitions

yōng (noun) fortified wall; city wall

Etymology phono-semantic

earth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 墉 features the earth radical 土 on the left, linking it to materials like packed soil or terrain. The right component, 庸, provides the phonetic value "yong". Historically, it specifically denotes a high, fortified wall built from rammed earth, serving as a defensive barrier around cities, palaces, or major settlements. Although such earthen fortifications are now rare, the character persists in historical texts and architectural discussions, describing the massive protective ramparts of ancient Chinese municipalities.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern