Definitions
chime stones, ancient percussion instrument made of stone or jade pieces hung in a row and struck as a xylophone
Etymology
Depicts a hand striking a musical stone chime with a stick.
About
磬 is formed with the semantic component 石 (stone) at the bottom, indicating its material, and the upper component 殸, which acts as a phonetic element and also depicts a hand striking with a tool, suggesting the action of producing sound. This character refers to a traditional percussion instrument made of L-shaped stone or jade pieces suspended from a frame and struck with a mallet. It can also describe the act of bowing deeply, resembling the shape of the suspended instrument, as a gesture of respect.
Etymology Hide
