About
The character 箴 combines the semantic radical 竹 ("bamboo") at the top, indicating its original material, with the phonetic component 咸 (xián) below. It originally denoted a slender bamboo needle used in ancient medical practices such as acupuncture. From this physical tool for piercing the body to treat illness, the meaning extended metaphorically to represent a sharp admonition or corrective advice aimed at moral or behavioral flaws.
Etymology Hide
