夭

夭 is an ancient pictographic-derived character.

In oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, it depicted a person bending or twisted, possibly symbolizing fragility or a life cut short.

In the Shuōwén Jiězì (說文解字), it is explained as relating to shortness or premature termination.

The original imagery likely expressed distortion or something not reaching full growth — hence the extended meaning of “dying young.”

Its semantic development illustrates how “incomplete growth” became associated with “untimely death.”

요절 (夭折) — premature death

요사 (夭死) — dying young

요수 (夭壽) — short lifespan

The character carries a strong tragic nuance in later usage.

夭 differs from related death-related characters:

死 — to die (general)

亡 — to perish

殤 — to die young (especially before adulthood)

折 — to break

While 殤 often refers specifically to the death of a child, 夭 emphasizes premature death more generally.

In some early usages, 夭 also conveyed meanings such as “young,” “tender,” or “slender,” reflecting the idea of incomplete growth.

Classical citations:

《詩經》 (The Book of Songs)

「終鮮兄弟，維予與女，夭之沃沃。」

“The youngest brothers, only you and my daughter, have perished in the flood.”

The word 夭 here reflects early meanings associated with youth or tender form.

《孟子》 (Mencius)

「人之有道也，若夭之沃沃。」

“Human virtue is like tender growth.”

These citations show that 夭 originally had broader meanings related to youthfulness before specializing in “early death.”