About
The character 揆, which has maintained its form, is composed of the hand radical (扌) on the left and the component 癸 on the right. Etymologically, this structure suggests an action performed by the hand, while the 癸 component, associated with measurement or cyclical order, contributes to its core semantic field. The original meaning of 揆 was "to measure" or "to assess", specifically in the sense of surveying land. From this concrete action, the meaning extended metaphorically to "to manage" or "to govern", as governing was conceived as a form of measurement and judgment. In classical texts, 揆 also functioned as a noun meaning "principle" or "standard", and historically referred to a high administrative official, such as a prime minister, reflecting its evolved sense of governance.
Etymology Hide
