巳

sì

Frequency#3379

Definitions

sì 6th earthly branch: 9-11 a.m., 4th solar month (5th May-5th June), year of the Snake; ancient Chinese compass point: 150°

Etymology

Depicts a snake-like creature. Based on the original meaning "a type of snake creature". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character "巳" originated from a pictographic representation of a fetus, implying notions of growth and finality. This original meaning was gradually displaced when the character was adopted as a phonetic loan for the sixth Earthly Branch in the traditional Chinese system, where it specifically signifies the time frame of 9-11 AM and corresponds to the zodiacal snake. Its modern form is a unitary structure with no analyzable components, and its contemporary use is almost entirely restricted to this calendrical and astrological role, reflecting a transition from a concrete pictograph to an abstract symbolic marker.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

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 Late Western Zhou (~800 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)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

现在已经是巳时了。

Xiànzài yǐjīng shì sì shí le.

It is already the hour of the snake now.

他出生在巳年。

Tā chūshēng zài sì nián.

He was born in the year of the snake.

巳时通常很安静。

Sì shí tōngcháng hěn ānjìng.

The hour of the snake is usually very quiet.

我们在巳时开始工作。

Wǒmen zài sì shí kāishǐ gōngzuò.

We start working at the hour of the snake.

你知道巳时对应几点吗？

Nǐ zhīdào sì shí duìyìng jǐ diǎn ma?

Do you know what time the hour of the snake corresponds to?

在农历中，巳月是四月。

Zài nónglì zhōng, sì yuè shì sì yuè.

In the lunar calendar, the month of the snake is the fourth month.

根据传统，巳时不宜外出。

Gēnjù chuántǒng, sì shí bùyí wàichū.

According to tradition, it is not advisable to go out during the hour of the snake.

他的八字里有巳火。

Tā de bāzì lǐ yǒu sì huǒ.

His Bazi chart contains the fire element of the snake.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 巳

Example Words