About
The character 莸 is a phono-semantic compound originally denoting a strongly scented or foul-smelling herbaceous plant, specifically Caryopteris. Its simplified form consists of the grass radical 艹 on top, indicating a plant, with the phonetic component 犹 (yóu) below, providing the pronunciation. The traditional form 蕕 follows the same structure, using the traditional phonetic 猶 beneath the grass radical. In classical literature, 莸 is often paired with the fragrant herb 薰 (xūn) to contrast good and evil or fragrance and foulness, extending its literal botanical meaning metaphorically.
Etymology Hide
