九
- nine, number 9, ninth;
Etymology
A pictograph.
In oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions, the character 九 resembled the shape of an elbow.
The meaning later stabilized as the number nine.
Today, the character specifically meaning "elbow" is 肘.
Usage in Korean
구월 (九月) — September
구층 (九層) — nine floors
구사일생 (九死一生) — barely escaping death
Additional notes
九 represents the highest before completion. It stands at the edge of fullness — one step before ten.
In classical thought, nine often meant:
- ultimate abundance;
- cosmic completeness;
- imperial dignity.
In ancient Chinese numerology, number 9 symbolized:
- completion;
- extremity.
Thus, it also came to mean:
- many;
- the utmost;
- long-lasting.
Also nine associated with the Emperor and considered powerful and complete.
In the imperial palace:
- nine dragons;
- nine gates;
- nine ranks.
It symbolized supreme authority.
Because 9 is the largest single-digit number, it can also carry the meaning of many or abundant. Additionally, due to its similar pronunciation to 久 ("long-lasting" or "enduring"), it can also imply longevity or something old.
A variant or associated character is 玖, which originally means "jade stone" but shares the same pronunciation and is thus used as a homophone.
In China, 九 is also used as slang for alcohol (酒, jiǔ), simply because they sound the same.
Related characters:
久 — long time (phonetically related)
仇 — enemy (phonetically related)
丸 — round; pill (graphically similar)
Words that derived from 九
