屐

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

尸 + 彳 — semantic elements, abbreviated forms related to footwear and walking (from 履 “shoe” and 彳 “to walk”), indicating an object worn on the feet for movement;

支 (to support; to prop up) — phonetic component, supplies the sound "geuk" and contributes the idea of support, reflecting the elevated sole of wooden clogs.

Together, the structure denotes footwear that supports the foot above the ground, matching the physical design of wooden clogs.

The character is rare in modern usage and mainly appears in classical texts, dictionaries, or cultural descriptions.

Classical:

목극 (木屐) — wooden clogs

극신 (屐履) — clogs and shoes (paired expression)

Literary & historical:

착극 (着屐) — to put on clogs

행극 (行屐) — walking in clogs

屐 specifically refers to wooden clogs, typically with a raised sole, worn to:

- avoid mud or water

- walk on uneven ground

- protect ordinary footwear

It does not mean shoes in general; that role belongs to 鞋 or 履.

屐 emphasizes function and material (wood, elevation), not fashion.

Often contrasted with:

履 — shoes (general, refined)

鞋 — shoes (modern/general)

The character preserves a material culture detail that later disappeared from everyday life.

Cultural notes:

Wooden clogs like 屐 were common in traditional East Asian daily life, especially in rural or wet environments.

In literature, 屐 often evokes:

- rustic simplicity

- travel on foot

- premodern daily life

The sound of clogs striking the ground is sometimes used as an atmospheric detail in poetry.

Related characters:

履 — shoes; to tread

鞋 — shoes

足 — foot

行 — to walk

木 — wood (material)

Among these, 屐 uniquely denotes raised wooden footwear, rather than footwear in general.

Classical-style usage:

雨後着屐而行 — “After the rain, he walked wearing wooden clogs.”

踏屐聲響 — “The sound of clogs striking the ground.”