堯 (yáo)

a legendary ancient emperor-sage

Etymology

Depicts a mound of dirt (土) on top of a platform (兀), representing the original meaning "tall; lofty", later used to describe the legendary Emperor Yao.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“堯,高也。从垚在兀上,高遠也。,古文堯。”

Original meaning

tall; lofty

Components