桐

It is a generic tree name, covering several closely related species rather than a single botanical taxon.

A phono-semantic compound:

木 (tree) — semantic component

同 (동) — phonetic component providing the sound "dong"

Original sense “a kind of tree known collectively as tong / wutong.”

梧桐 (오동) — parasol tree; wutong tree

桐木 (동목) — paulownia wood

桐箱 (동상) — paulownia wood box

桐花 (동화) — paulownia blossoms

桐油 (동유) — tung oil / paulownia-related oil

桐 is broader and more practical than 梧.

In modern language:

桐 — everyday, material, botanical usage

梧 — literary, poetic, symbolic usage

In classical texts:

梧 — adds literary / symbolic nuance

桐 — carries the core botanical meaning

In modern usage, 桐 alone is more common than 梧 alone.

Many classical references to “오동나무” actually rely on 梧桐 as a fixed phrase.

In East Asia, 桐 is a symbol of:

- nobility and virtue, often associated with refined character;

- royal authority, especially in China, where the phoenix (鳳凰) is said to dwell only in the paulownia tree (梧桐);

- cultural refinement and learning, frequently appearing in classical poetry and painting;

- auspiciousness and harmony, particularly in traditional symbolism.

Classical citations:

《詩經》 (Book of Songs)

「梧桐生矣，於彼朝陽。」

“The wutong tree has grown, facing the morning sun.”

「非桐不生鳳。」— traditional aphorism

“Without the paulownia, the phoenix does not appear.”