歲

It can also refer to Jupiter (목성), called 歲星 (세성) in classical East Asian astronomy.

In oracle bone script (甲骨文 jiǎgǔwén), the character was composed of:

戉 (월, “axe”) – functioning as the phonetic element.

Two 止 (feet) – providing the semantic element (steps, passing).

The original meaning related to “to pass, to go beyond” (越 넘을 월).

From this verbal sense, the noun meaning “the passing of a year” → “year” emerged.

越 (to cross, to pass) also uses 戉 as its phonetic element.

Scholarly Interpretations:

Guo Moruo (곽말약): Suggested that 歲 was originally a borrowing (假借) of 戉 because of their similar sound. The dots on the old axe shape later evolved into the two 止 (feet) components.

Yu Shengwu (于省吾): Argued that 歲 depicts an axe with a curved blade and holes at both ends of the blade, simplified into the 戉 form seen in oracle inscriptions.

Ji Xusheng (季旭昇): Proposed that people once considered Jupiter (歲星) an inauspicious omen and borrowed 戉 to write the word. Over time, the meaning shifted (“semantic transference”), and 步 (step) was added because ancient people referred to the five visible planets as 五步 (five steps).

Some scholars even suggest 歲 is the original form of 劌 (to wound).

세수 (歲首) – New Year, beginning of the year

세모 (歲暮) – year’s end

연세 (年歲) – age (honorific form for 나이)

연세 (延歲) – prolonging life, extending years

세월 (歲月) – time, years, the passage of time

다세 (多歲) – long life, many years

진세 (陳歲) – an old year, past times

삼세판 (三歲判) – “three tries rule” (proverbial expression, often in games)

세배 (歲拜) – New Year’s bow (traditional bow to elders at New Year)

세찬 (歲饌) – New Year’s food (ritual food prepared at New Year)