About
The character 旒 (liú) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical is 㫃 (yǎn), representing a flag or banner, which connects it to hanging textiles or ornaments. The phonetic component 㐬 (liú) is on the right. The character specifically refers to the beaded tassels or fringes that hung from the front and back of ceremonial crowns worn by emperors in ancient state rituals. It can also denote the long, trailing streamers on military or ceremonial flags, with the components together conveying these ornamental elements of high status and formal authority.