Definitions

chǎi aromatic plant, possibly Dahurian angelica 白芷[bái zhǐ] (archaic)

Etymology

About

茝 is a phono-semantic compound formed from the grass radical 艹 and the phonetic component 𦣝, which resembles 臣. It denotes a fragrant plant, often identified as a species of angelica, prominent in classical Chinese poetry such as the Chu Ci. The radical places it within the botanical domain, while its historical usage associates it with moral purity, virtue, and loyalty. Thus, the character serves both as a specific botanical identifier and a significant literary symbol.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern