京 (Jīng)

surname Jing; Jing ethnic minority; abbr. for Beijing 北京[Bei3 jing1]

Etymology

Pictograph of a tall building. Similar to 高. Based on the original meaning "high place". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "capital city".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“京,人所為絕高丘也。从高省,丨象高形。”

Original meaning

high place