similar, resemble

肖 is composed of a variant of 小 (small) and 月 (moon). It conveys the idea of the moon gradually diminishing, with its light weakening, originally meaning reduction or waning. This meaning was later taken over by 消. The moon undergoes phases of waxing and waning, appearing to grow smaller after being full until it becomes invisible, though this is caused by the relative positions of the sun, moon, and earth, not an actual reduction in size—it merely seems smaller. Thus, 肖 carries the meaning of resemblance or similarity.