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The character 驺 (zōu), traditionally written as 騶, is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 马 (the simplified form of 馬) indicates an association with horses, while the phonetic component 刍 (the simplified form of 芻) contributes the sound and originally meant fodder. Historically, 驺 referred to an equestrian groom or horse manager responsible for carriages and horses belonging to nobility and high officials. This character also appears in the compound "驺虞" (zōuyú) within ancient mythology, denoting a legendary benevolent beast resembling a white tiger with black spots, celebrated for its vegetarianism and refusal to harm living grass.
Etymology Hide
