The word 旋律 (xuánlǜ), meaning "melody", is formed by conceptually combining two characters: 旋 (xuán), which carries the core idea of "turning", "circling", or "revolving", and 律 (lǜ), which conveys "rhythm", "pattern", or "law". Together, they create a composite image of a "turning rhythm" or a "circulating pattern", beautifully encapsulating the essence of a melody as a structured yet flowing succession of musical notes that rises, falls, and returns in a coherent and law-like progression.