天祝藏族自治县

• 大(adult; large (pictographic))RADICAL
• 一(one; top)ASSOCIATIVE

The sky is the vast, boundless expanse that lies above human beings.

• 礻(spirit; altar)RADICAL
• 兄(older brother; speaker; predecessor)PHONO-SEMANTIC

Before an altar of spirits, the elder brother utters a blessing.

• 艹(grass; plant)RADICAL
• 臧(hidden; good)PHONO-SEMANTIC

Grass and plants covering on top help conceal everything below.

• 方(flag; banner (tribal standard))RADICAL
• 矢(arrow tip; arrowhead)ASSOCIATIVE

A tribe gathers under a flag, with hands gripping arrows ready for battle.

• 自(nose (pictographic) → self; body)ASSOCIATIVE

Ancient people pointed to their nose when saying "I," so the character for nose also means self.

• 氵(water; liquid)RADICAL
• 台(platform; foundation)PHONO-SEMANTIC

A solid foundation is used to control the flow of water.

• 且(pile up; temporary)ASSOCIATIVE
• 厶(private; personal)PHONETIC

A district is a small administrative unit stacked beneath the province, like layers piled on top of each other.