Definitions
tool, weapon
Etymology
Depicts a hand holding a weapon or tool.
About
The character 殳 (shū) originated as a pictograph of an ancient pole weapon, a bamboo or wooden staff without a metal blade. Its structure depicts a hand holding a long implement, reflecting its use in combat, ceremonial dances, and honor guards in early dynastic periods. As this blunt polearm became obsolete with advancing warfare technology, the character’s standalone usage declined. It nonetheless evolved into a key semantic radical, appearing in many characters related to striking, hitting, or actions performed with a handheld tool or weapon.
Etymology Hide
