雪

Derived from the ancient form 䨮 (U+4A2E) — a phono-semantic compound composed of:

雨 (비 우) — semantic element, representing rain, precipitation, weather.

彗 (살별 혜) — phonetic element, originally depicting a broom (彗 means “to sweep”).

In oracle bone and bronze inscriptions (甲骨文, 金文), 䨮 shows the rain radical over the form of 彗, symbolizing “rain that sweeps and clears away.”

This duality of sweeping and falling rain gave rise to both senses:

“snowfall” — as frozen precipitation;

“to wipe away, to cleanse” — as snow metaphorically “sweeps” the world clean.

Later, in clerical and regular script, the upper part 雨 was retained, while the lower 彗 was simplified — omitting its upper strokes — forming the modern 雪.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「雪，雨之白者。从雨，彗聲。」

“Snow — the white form of rain. Composed of 雨 (rain) and 彗 (phonetic).”

Thus, 雪 is both phono-semantic and associative in nature: rain (meaning) + broom (sound and sense of sweeping).

Semantic development:

1. Natural meaning — snow (weather):

The earliest usage described natural precipitation in frozen white flakes.

2. Moral extension — purity and cleansing:

Because snow appears white and unstained, it came to symbolize moral purity and renewal.

3. Metaphorical extension — to remove disgrace or resentment:

In classical literature, 雪恥 and 雪辱 describe the act of restoring honor — “washing away shame.”

Literal:

雪花 (설화) — snowflake

降雪 (강설) — snowfall

積雪 (적설) — accumulated snow

暴雪 (폭설) — blizzard

風雪 (풍설) — snowstorm

初雪 (초설) — first snow

Figurative / metaphorical:

雪白 (설백) — snow-white, pure

雪恥 (설치) — to wipe away shame; avenge humiliation

雪辱 (설욕) — to cleanse disgrace; restore honor

報雪 (보설) — to redress a wrong

Idioms:

雪中送炭 (설중송탄) — “to send charcoal in the snow”; to help others in times of dire need

陽春白雪 (양춘백설) — “White Snow in the Bright Spring”; refined or highbrow art

一雪前恥 (일설전치) — “to wash away a previous shame”

Common compounds:

大雪 (대설) — heavy snow

雪原 (설원) — snowfield

雪恥 (설치) — to avenge shame

白雪 (백설) — white snow; purity

In Chinese philosophy and poetry, 雪 embodies purity, clarity, and transcendence.

It often contrasts with 塵 (진, dust) — symbolizing worldly impurity.

「雪以潔見稱，塵以汙為譏。」

“Snow is praised for its purity, dust is despised for its stain.”

In Confucian ethics, “to snow one’s shame” (雪恥) means to restore one’s honor through virtuous action.

In Buddhist and Daoist symbolism, snow represents detachment and the stillness of enlightenment — the world blanketed in quiet clarity.

「心如積雪，萬念俱寂。」

“When the mind is like deep snow, all thoughts fall silent.”

Symbolic interpretation:

雪 represents white purity that descends from the heavens.

It covers all imperfections, symbolizing forgiveness, renewal, and untainted virtue.

Just as snow falls silently and evenly, it evokes tranquility and equality before nature.

「雪之為德，潔而不爭。」

“The virtue of snow lies in its purity and humility — it does not contend.”

It also carries the image of washing away wrongs — both literally (as melting snow cleanses the earth) and metaphorically (as justice restores balance).

Across East Asian philosophy and literature, 雪 stands as a timeless emblem of purity, serenity, and redemption — the white silence that both veils and renews the world.

䨮 (U+4A2E) — ancient form