Definitions

turban

Etymology phono-semantic

towel

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 'cloth' on the left and phonetic on the right. This cloth radical links the character to textiles and clothing. Etymologically, it refers to a cloth wrapper or a soft bundle made by wrapping objects in fabric. Its most common historical meaning is a distinctive men's turban or headwrap, a piece of cloth wrapped around the head, which became a prominent standard element of male official attire during the Tang and Song dynasties.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern