yín
3rd earthly branch
Originally written the same as 矢 (arrow). Later two hands (𦥑) were added to distinguish the characters.
Components
𦥑 Distinguishing component
jú
two hands
Evolution
Oracle script
(~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze script
Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal script
Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical script
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)Regular script
ModernDefinitions
yín
to respect, reverence; respectfully; 3rd terrestrial branch; 3rd earthly branch: 3-5 a.m., 1st solar month (4th February-5th March), year of the Tiger; ancient Chinese compass point: 60°
Most common words with 寅
Freq. | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
ancient Chinese compass point: 60° | ||
51st year A3 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1974 or 2034 | ||
twenty-seventh year G3 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2010 or 2070 | ||
thirty-ninth year I3 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1962 or 2022 | ||
third year C3 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1986 or 2046 |
Sources
季旭昇《說文新證》p.976-977