[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Tastes # 芳 fāng fragance, perfume ## Components [[艹 (cǎo)]] [[方 (fāng)]] ## Meaning Nowadays, the character "芳" (fāng) is commonly used to refer to fragrance, aroma, or perfume. It still retains its connotations of pleasant smells, particularly those associated with flowers and plants. Additionally, "芳" can be used metaphorically to describe a person's good reputation, virtue, or elegance. It often appears in names and poetic contexts to convey a sense of beauty and grace. ## History The character "芳" (fāng) is a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic component "艸" (grass) with the phonetic component "方" (fāng). It primarily denotes the fragrance of flowers and plants. Originally, "芳" referred to flowers and their fragrance, as seen in Ouyang Xiu's work from the Song Dynasty. Metaphorically, it represents a good reputation or virtuous conduct, as noted by Cai Yong in the Han Dynasty, and describes a person of high moral character, as in Qu Yuan's "Chu Ci." Additionally, "芳" is used as a respectful term for a person, as in "Dream of the Red Chamber." In summary, "芳" signifies the fragrance of flowers and plants and metaphorically denotes virtue and good reputation. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[芳 fāng sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[芳 fāng cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[芳 fāng reg.svg]]