幡

fān

巾 + 番

Definitions

fān banner

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 巾 represents the meaning and 番 represents the sound.

Semantic: 巾 Phonetic: 番

About

幡 is a phono-semantic compound originally denoting a long vertical banner, flag, or pennant hung from a pole. The left-side radical 巾 (cloth) indicates the material, while the right-side component 番 provides the sound. Historically, the character has been strongly tied to ceremonial and religious contexts, especially in Buddhism, where long cloth banners adorn temples and symbolize spiritual merit. This distinguishes it from other flag characters that usually refer to military or national standards.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

墙上挂着一面幡。

Qiáng shàng guà zhe yī miàn fān.

There is a banner hanging on the wall.

寺庙前飘扬着彩色幡。

Sìmiào qián piāoyáng zhe cǎisè fān.

Colorful banners are fluttering in front of the temple.

他幡然醒悟自己的错误。

Tā fānrán xǐngwù zìjǐ de cuòwù.

He suddenly realized his mistake.

经幡在风中轻轻摆动。

Jīngfān zài fēng zhōng qīngqīng bǎidòng.

The prayer flags are gently swaying in the wind.

节日里，人们竖起了许多幡旗。

Jiérì lǐ, rénmen shù qǐle xǔduō fānqí.

During the festival, people erected many banners.

幡上的图案象征着和平与祝福。

Fān shàng de tú'àn xiàngzhēng zhe hépíng yǔ zhùfú.

The patterns on the banner symbolize peace and blessings.

经过那次教训，他幡然改过，重新做人。

Jīngguò nà cì jiàoxun, tā fānrán gǎiguò, chóngxīn zuòrén.

After that lesson, he suddenly reformed and started a new life.

在藏区，随处可见迎风招展的经幡。

Zài Zàngqū, suí chù kě jiàn yíngfēng zhāozhǎn de jīngfān.

In Tibetan areas, prayer flags fluttering in the wind can be seen everywhere.

Related Characters

Component: 巾

Component: 番

幡