About
The character 茱 is primarily found in the compound 茱萸, referring to the aromatic cornelian cherry or dogwood shrub with small red fruits. It is a top-bottom phono-semantic compound: the grass radical 艹 at the top classifies it among plants, while the component 朱 below provides the pronunciation. This phonetic element also coincidentally means "vermilion", echoing the color of the plant's berries. The plant carries cultural significance, often appearing in classical poetry about the Double Ninth Festival, where wearing sprigs of it was a traditional practice.
Etymology Hide
