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旄 is a phono-semantic compound combining 方 (a flag) and 毛 (hair or fur), with 毛 also providing the pronunciation. It originally denoted a military banner topped with a yak's tail tied to the flagstaff. Over time, the meaning shifted to designate the yak itself or the tail hair used for such ceremonial and military adornments, and in some classical texts it serves as a phonetic loan for 耄 (mào), meaning an old person.
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