tent, bill

帳 is composed of 巾 (cloth) and 長 (long). 巾 refers to cloth, which was used as currency in ancient times, representing wealth or property. 長 carries the meaning of increase or growth. As wealth increases, clear records are required to ensure that no property is lost; thus, the ledger or account book used to record financial property came to be called 帳. Additionally, if cloth is long enough, it can be used for shielding or screening; hence, 帳 also came to mean a curtain or canopy.