薇

A phono-semantic compound:

艸 (grass / plant radical) — indicates a plant

微 (small, subtle) — provides the sound

The phonetic element 微 also contributes a nuance of smallness or delicacy, which fits well with the plants originally denoted by 薇.

Meanings:

1. Fern (specifically bracken / royal fern)

In Classical Chinese and Korean usage, 薇 primarily referred to edible wild ferns.

In Korean, this meaning survives clearly as 고비.

2. Rose (only in the compound 薔薇)

In 薔薇 (장미), 薇 functions as the second character of a binome. It does not independently mean “rose.”

薇 can stand alone with the meaning fern.

Common in:

- classical texts

- poetry

- botanical contexts

Compound usage:

薔薇 (장미) — rose

→ a 連綿詞 (inseparable binome)

→ neither 薔 nor 薇 is used independently for “rose”

In Korean traditional cuisine, 고비 (薇) is a well-known mountain vegetable.

In literature, 薇 often evokes:

- simplicity

- reclusion

- moral integrity

Through 薔薇 (rose), the character also participates in imagery of:

- beauty

- romance

- ornamental gardens

薇 appears frequently in early Chinese literature, especially in poetic and moral contexts.

A famous example:

Book of Odes (詩經)

「采薇采薇，薇亦作止」

“Gathering the wild vines, gathering the wild vines, The vines have grown thick and dense.”

Here, 薇 clearly refers to wild ferns, symbolizing:

- hardship

- exile

- rustic life

- loyalty and endurance

Related characters:

薔 — rose (used only with 薇)

蕨 — bracken fern

芝 — mushroom; herb

蘭 — orchid

花 — flower