稟

稟 icon

endow, gift, report

稟 is composed of 㐭 (granary) and 禾 (grain/cereal). 㐭 is a pictograph depicting a granary or storehouse, while 禾 represents grain or crops. Thus, 稟 conveys the idea of distributing the stored grain from the granary to others; its original meaning is to bestow grain. This extends to the sense of something given from above to below, hence 稟 means to be endowed with (as in innate or heavenly gifts). Additionally, bestowing grain was a matter of great importance to people’s livelihood, and it required constant reporting to the ruler of the state.

Vocabulary of 稟

  • 稟報 (report to superior)
  • 稟性 (natural disposition)

Related Characters: