Definitions

shì divine by stalk

Etymology phono-semantic

divining rod

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 筮 denotes the ancient divination practice using yarrow stalks to seek spiritual guidance. Its bamboo radical 竹 references the plant stalks used in the ritual, while the bottom component 巫 (wū, shaman) directly links to spirit communication. Together, they depict a practitioner using specific materials to interpret cosmic signs, distinguishing this method from bone or shell divination.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern