瞳

A phono-semantic compound:

目 (“eye”) — semantic component

童 (“child”) — phonetic component, provides the sound (dong) and also conveys the idea of roundness and clarity, matching the appearance of the pupil.

동자 (瞳子) — pupil of the eye

동공 (瞳孔) — pupil (medical / anatomical term)

중동 (重瞳) — double pupils (mythical / physiognomic term)

안동 (眼瞳) — eye pupil (literary)

瞳 vs. 眼 vs. 目:

目 — the eye as an organ

眼 — the eyeball / eye (common term)

瞳 — strictly the pupil, the dark center

In classical literature, 瞳 often symbolizes:

- clarity of spirit

- inner vitality

- sharp perception

Bright pupils were traditionally associated with health, intelligence, and moral clarity.

Classical citations:

《莊子·外物》 (Zhuangzi)

「目無所見，瞳子不轉。」

“When the eyes perceive nothing, the pupils do not move.”

《後漢書·蔡邕傳》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「黑白分明，瞳子炯然。」

“The black and white were clearly distinguished, and the pupils shone brightly.”

《廣雅》 (Guangya)

「瞳，目子也。」

“瞳 the pupil of the eye.”