弁

biàn

厶 + 廾

Definitions

biàn (old) cap (garment); military officer of low rank (in former times); preceding

Etymology

Depicts hands (廾) holding a cap.

About

弁 originated as a depiction of a conical cap worn by aristocratic men during ancient Chinese formal ceremonies, with its structure showing hands (廾) holding a cap (厶) to evoke the act of donning it. Over time, the meaning broadened to include low-ranking military officers (as in 马弁) and also conveyed haste or urgency, seen in compounds like 弁急.