sincere, real

亶 is composed of 㐭 (granary) and 旦 (dawn). 㐭 is a pictograph depicting a granary, while 旦 depicts the sun just rising above the horizon, extending to the idea of level, open ground. Thus, 亶 conveys the image of a granary built on flat, open land. To prevent flooding and dampness, the ancients usually chose higher, drier flat ground to construct granaries. Granaries are large in volume, and on flat ground everything is clearly visible at a glance; even from a distance, they stand out prominently. Therefore, 亶 came to mean sincere or real.