The word 符箓 is formed by combining two pictophonetic characters: 符, constructed with the bamboo radical (竹) indicating association with writing materials and the phonetic component 付 (fù) suggesting pronunciation, meaning a charm or symbol; and 箓, similarly formed with the bamboo radical (竹) and the phonetic 录 (lù) for sound, meaning a record or text. Together, they refer to Taoist talismans or inscribed mystical symbols.