朱 (Zhū)

surname Zhu

Etymology

Pictograph of a tree (木) with a mark indicating where the trunk is. Based on the original meaning "tree trunk", now written as 株. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“朱,赤心木,松柏屬。从木,一在其中。”

Original meaning

tree trunk

Components