麥 (mài)
wheat, barley, oats
Etymology
The top component 來 depicts a stalk of wheat. The bottom component depicts roots.
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》：“麥，芒穀。秋穜厚薶，故謂之麥。麥，金也。金王而生，火王而死。从來，有穗者。从夕。”
Components
- 來 (sound, iconic) — Depicts a stalk of wheat.
- ◎ (iconic) — Depicts roots.