Definitions

surname Yi; name of a legendary archer (also called 后羿[hòu yì])

Etymology

A man drawing an arrow 

About

The character "羿" derives from ancient Chinese mythology where it served as the name of a divine archer, and its composition integrates the component "羽" representing feathers, which connect to arrow fletching, with "廾" depicting two hands, conveying the motion of drawing a bow. Originally a proper name, the term later generalized to denote any expert archer or the act of skilled shooting, while its structural form has consistently reflected this archery-related concept through these constituent parts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern