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This character is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic component 马 indicates a horse, while the phonetic 丽 also suggests beauty and brightness. Its original meaning is a pure black horse, a highly prized animal in historical contexts. In classical Chinese literature, it often depicts majestic steeds, especially those ridden by nobility or drawing prestigious chariots. The traditional form 驪 combines 馬 with 麗 (which includes 鹿 at its base); the simplified 骊 reduces these to 马 and 丽, streamlining the character while preserving both the equine category and its pronunciation.
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