Definitions

bridal veil or kerchief

Etymology phono-semantic

silk

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

, the simplified form of traditional , is a phono-semantic compound combining the silk radical (mì) on the left to indicate textiles with the phonetic (lí) on the right. In classical Chinese, it referred to a silk sash or ornamental veil tied by a mother onto her daughter during a wedding as a marriage symbol, and by extension also came to mean tying a knot or binding with string, keeping its meaning tied to fabric and matrimonial customs.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern