幟

Phono-semantic compound:

巾 (수건 건) — semantic component, cloth, fabric, banner, textile

戠 (찰흙 시) — phonetic element, gives sound (tɕiH → zhi / 치), historically related to objects molded or shaped, but here acting strictly as a phonetic indicator.

Therefore 幟 = cloth (巾) + phonetic sound element (戠) → “a cloth used as a banner.”

幟 referred specifically to flags bearing marks or symbols, often used in:

- military formations

- ritual processions

- marketplace or shop signage

- identifying sects, groups, or officials.

In Korean, 幟(치) appears mostly in formal, historical, or military-related compounds referring to flags, symbols, and banners.

Flags / banners:

旗幟 (기치) — 기와 깃발; banner; flag; standard

幟旗 (치기) — 깃발; flag; banner

Symbol / ideological banner:

旗幟鮮明 (기치선명) — 주장이 분명함; to have clear political or ideological stance

舉幟 (거치) — 깃발을 들어 올리다; to raise a banner (literal & figurative)

Military usage:

軍幟 (군치) — 군대의 깃발; military standard

幟號 (치호) — 군기나 부대 표식; signal flag; unit insignia

Signs / markers:

商幟 (상치) — 상점 간판·기; merchant’s banner or shop flag

標幟 (표치) — 상징, 표식; mark, emblem, identifying symbol

Distinction 旗 vs 幟:

旗 — general word for “flag,” widely used

幟 — more specific: banner with symbols or writing, often used for identification or ideological representation

In modern Chinese usage highly common expression:

旗幟鮮明 (“clear and vivid banner”) — meaning “to take a clear and decisive stance.”

Classical citations:

《周禮·夏官·司馬》 (Rites of Zhou, Summer Official, Minister of War)

「建其旗幟，以別其衆。」

“They erect their banners in order to distinguish their troops” — clear military usage.

《史記·陳涉世家》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「陳勝立幟於田間。」

“Chen Sheng set up banners in the fields” — symbolic banners of rebellion.

《後漢書·馬援傳》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「軍中幟色，各有定法。」

“Within the army, each unit had its own fixed color of banner.”

《文選·曹植·七啟》 (Wenxuan, Anthology of Literature)

「高幟雲表。」

“Their tall banners reached into the clouds” — exalted or majestic imagery.

《資治通鑑》 (Zizhi Tongjian)

「旗幟明辨，軍容嚴整。」

“Their banners were clearly distinguishable, and the army’s appearance was strict and orderly.”

These citations show the primary usage of 幟 in military identification, group symbolism, and public signage.