黎

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

黍 (millet) — semantic component

𥝢 (li) — phonetic component

Originally, 黎 referred to the dark color of cooked millet or dense clusters of grain. From this concrete image, the character developed several abstract meanings:

- dark / blackish

- dense, numerous

- the common people (the masses)

The transition from “dark millet” to “dense multitude” is a classic example of semantic extension from material culture to social meaning.

여민 / 이민 (黎民) — the common people

여흑 / 이흑 (黎黑) — dark-colored (rare, literary)

黎 often conveys a sense of earthiness and rootedness, reflecting its agricultural origin.

Because of its association with “the people,” it frequently appears in dynastic ideology, where rulers are judged by how they treat the 黎民.

Related characters (semantic field):

黑 — pure black; darkness

玄 — mysterious, profound darkness

蒼 — dark blue-green; aged

民 — people

衆 / 众 — the masses

黎 is not interchangeable with 黑 or 玄. Its primary literary force lies in social and collective meanings, not color description.

Frequently appears in historical, political, and philosophical texts.

In modern Chinese, it is rare in daily speech but common in formal writing, names, and transliterations.

As a surname (黎), it is especially common in southern China and Vietnam.

Classical usage in political and philosophical texts:

黎民於變 — “The people were affected by the change.”

In classical Chinese, 黎 often functions as a collective noun meaning “the populace.”