About
The character "骞" derives from its traditional form "騫", structurally composed of the component "𠨍" above the horse radical "馬". Etymologically, it initially denoted a physical defect in a horse, such as lameness or an uplifted hoof, which led to early meanings of lifting up or causing delay. Over time, the sense of lifting became primary, evolving to convey abstract notions of soaring or rising, while the reference to equine impairment faded. In contemporary usage, it is commonly found in personal names, carrying this connotation of ascent, with the horse radical maintaining a structural but not directly semantic role.
Etymology Hide
