麾

huī

毛 + 麻

Definitions

huī signal flag; to signal

Etymology

About

The character 麾 is an ideogrammatic compound that combines 麻 'hemp' with 毛 'hair, feathers, fur'. It originally referred to an ancient military standard or signal flag, typically fashioned from animal tails, feathers, and hemp textiles. Because commanding generals used these flags to direct troop movements, the meaning shifted from the physical object to the authority of the commander, eventually becoming a verb meaning to command or signal.