正 (zhēng)

first month of the lunar year

Etymology

Depicts a foot (止) going out towards city walls (丁). 丁 also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "to attack (an enemy)", now written as 征. The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "correct".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“正,是也。从止,一以止。,古文正,从二,二,古上字。,古文正,从一、足,足者,亦止也。”

Original meaning

to attack (an enemy)

Components