Definitions
plow
Etymology
Pictograph of a farming tool used to make furrows in the ground.
About
The character "耒" originated as a pictograph for a simple wooden plow used in early Chinese agriculture, and its form continues to depict this tool. It functions as a radical in constructing characters related to farming, such as "耕" for plowing and "耘" for weeding, where it provides a semantic link to cultivation. Initially denoting the specific plow instrument, the meaning of "耒" expanded over time to encompass agricultural tools and labor in a general sense, solidifying its role as a component conveying themes of farming within the script.
Etymology Hide
