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The character 薨 historically refers to the death of high-ranking nobility, such as feudal lords or princes, excluding the emperor. Structurally, it combines the grass radical 艹 with elements suggesting death and a phonetic component indicating the sound "hōng". Beyond this solemn usage, 薨 can also be onomatopoeic, describing the buzzing of a large swarm of insects, showcasing how one character encompasses both formal social terminology and natural auditory description.
Etymology Hide
