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The character 郢 is a phono-semantic compound with the right-side radical 阝, the reduced form of 邑 (yì, city or settlement), indicating a connection to locations or administrative regions. The left component 呈 (chéng) provides its phonetic value. It was historically created to serve as the proper noun for the capital of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. As a specific geographical and historical place name, its meaning remains strictly tied to this ancient city and related historical texts, without developing secondary definitions.
Etymology Hide