中 (Zhōng)

(bound form) China; Chinese; surname Zhong

Etymology

Depicts a flagpole. There is a circle in the middle marking the center of the flagpole. In older forms of the character, the flagpole has streamers at the top and bottom used to show the direction of the wind.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“中,內也。从口、丨,上下通。,古文中。,籀文中。”