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宓 is a phonosemantic compound formed by the roof radical 宀 on top, which suggests a domestic or sheltered space, and the character 必 (bì, 'must') below, which provides the sound. In its early usage, the character expressed the idea of being quiet, peaceful, or silent, often evoking a calm atmosphere within a dwelling or a serene mental state. Beyond its lexical meaning, 宓 has been adopted as a Chinese surname, where it is sometimes read with the alternative pronunciation Fú; this reading links it to the legendary figure Fuxi, who is referred to as 宓羲 in some ancient texts.
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