莉

Refers to the jasmine flower, known for its delicate fragrance and white blossoms.

It appears primarily in compound form, such as 茉莉 (말리, jasmine), which designates the jasmine plant in Chinese and derived languages.

In isolation, 莉 by itself rarely denotes a specific meaning beyond its role as a morpheme representing “jasmine.”

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

艸 (풀 초) — semantic component, indicating that the character relates to plants or herbs.

利 (이할 리) — phonetic component, providing the sound li and suggesting a smooth, cutting or fragrant quality.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字) does not record 莉 as an independent entry, as it developed later from the system of botanical compounds.

Its earliest attested usage is in the compound 茉莉, referring to jasmine (Jasminum sambac).

Thus, 莉 is one of many plant-name characters formed by combining the grass radical (艸) with a phonetic indicator.

Semantic development:

Etymologically related to Sanskrit mallikā (मल्लिका) → Persian yasmin (یاسمین) → English jasmine.

Originally, 茉 and 莉 were paired characters chosen phonetically to represent the two syllables of jasmine in early transliterations of southern plant names into written Chinese.

茉 (말) likely served as the first phonetic element.

莉 (리), with the same plant radical, was chosen to complete the disyllabic word.

Together, 茉莉 became the standard written form for the jasmine flower, a borrowing from an ancient southern term possibly related to Malay or Sanskrit mallikā (मल्लिका), which also means “jasmine.”

茉莉花 (말리화) — jasmine flower

茉莉香 (말리향) — jasmine fragrance

茉莉茶 (말리차) — jasmine tea

In modern Chinese and derived languages, 茉莉 (mòlì) specifically designates the jasmine plant, especially the species Jasminum sambac, native to South and Southeast Asia.

The flower is culturally associated with purity, grace, and elegance, and is often used in tea, perfumes, and ceremonial offerings.

The jasmine flower (茉莉花) holds deep cultural symbolism across East and South Asia.

China: purity, feminine virtue, and modest beauty.

Folk song: 《茉莉花》 — “Beautiful Jasmine Flower” (清代, Qing Dynasty).

India: sacred flower of Vishnu and symbol of divine love (from Sanskrit mallikā).

Korea and Japan: used in poetry and literature as a symbol of elegance and delicate fragrance.

In many cultures, 茉莉 represents refined simplicity — beauty that does not depend on extravagance.

Because jasmine blooms at night and emits its fragrance quietly, it often represents modesty and spiritual elegance in literature.

「茉莉香清，幽而不媚。」

“The fragrance of jasmine is pure — subtle, not seductive.”

莉 symbolizes purity and transience — the fleeting yet perfect beauty of a small white blossom.