宁为鸡头，不为凤尾

• 為(do; act; work)ASSOCIATIVE

An ancient hand-drawn character depicts a hand leading an elephant to work, meaning 'to do' or 'for'.

• 奚(why; how)PHONETIC
• 隹(short-tailed bird)RADICAL

A chicken is a short-tailed bird that crows "he-he" every early morning.

• 大(large; big)RADICAL
• ⺀(two dots indicating hair; top of head)ASSOCIATIVE

The head is the largest and most prominent part on the human body.

• 不(no; not; negation)ASSOCIATIVE

A bird flying swiftly upward and never willing to return represents the meaning of swift and unyielding.