齊

Generally, the character conveys the idea of things being placed evenly or in order.

As a verb, it means: to make things even or orderly, to align or arrange, to equalize, to govern or bring into order.

As an adverb, it can mean: all at once, uniformly, equally.

According to the Shuowen Jiezi (《說文解字》), this character represents earheads of millet or grain that grow evenly, with their tops level and aligned.

It is a pictograph modeled on three rows of aligned grain ears, symbolizing uniformity and order.

It has also been used as:

• The name of a historical state or dynasty (the State of Qi) that ruled parts of what is now Shandong Province during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

• The term 齊 is still used in modern China to refer to that region.