Definitions

yuàn a large jade ring

Etymology phono-semantic

jade

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical , a compressed form of (jade), provides the meaning, while the right component (yuán) suggests the pronunciation. The character names a large ceremonial jade disc with a central hole significantly larger than the surrounding jade rim, a feature that distinguishes it from other circular jade ornaments, where the hole is proportionally smaller. Due to the high cultural value of jade, appears often in classical texts on ritual offerings and aristocratic dress, and it remains a popular given name, conveying elegance and preciousness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern