The word "痕迹" is formed through the meaningful combination of two characters, each contributing a layer of visual and conceptual imagery. The first character, "痕", primarily means a mark or a scar, something physically left behind, like a line or a blemish. It is paired with "迹", which conveys the idea of a trace, a footprint, or an imprint left by movement or existence. Together, they create a composite concept that is richer than either part alone: "痕迹" does not merely mean a mark or a trace, but specifically denotes the visible remnant or faint impression left by something that has passed, happened, or been present, evoking a sense of lingering evidence softened by time, like a fading stain or an old path almost reclaimed by nature.