About
The character 坤 is structurally composed of the radical 土, meaning "earth", and the component 申, which historically served a phonetic function. Its etymology traces back to the classical text I Ching, where it specifically denotes the earth principle, complementary to heaven, and embodies receptive and feminine qualities. Over time, the meaning of 坤 expanded beyond its philosophical origins to encompass general associations with the feminine, used in terms such as 坤道 for the way of women, and it also acquired directional connotations in traditional Chinese cosmology. In modern usage, while retaining its core reference to earth and femininity, 坤 is frequently employed in personal names and geographical terms, reflecting its enduring semantic breadth.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
王坤喜欢打篮球。
李坤在图书馆看书。
她的坤包很时尚。
乾坤代表天地。
张坤和李坤是同学。
在易经中，坤是地的象征。
坤宁宫位于故宫的中轴线上。
理解乾坤的概念有助于掌握传统文化。