Definitions

yǎn gem; glitter of gems

Etymology

The fire  in a gem  also provides the pronunciation

About

depicts fire () set within a gem (): a phono-semantic compound where gives the meaning 'jade, precious stone' and supplies the pronunciation. Historically, it named a sharp-edged jade tablet used in ceremonies. Today it appears almost exclusively in personal names, conveying brilliance and value.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern