布

Phono-semantic compound:

布 = 巾 (“cloth,” semantic) + 父 (“father,” phonetic)

巾 contributes the semantic field of cloth, fabric, textile.

父 contributes the sound (phuH / 포 / 보).

Historical evolution:

Seal Script (小篆) shows the clear form 父 + 巾.

In Clerical Script (隸書), 父 simplified into a form similar to 又,

resulting in the modern composition 又 + 巾.

Two main interpretations exist:

Unified origin theory:

The noun “cloth” and verb “to spread, to lay out” come from a single original meaning—spreading cloth.

Divergent origin theory:

“To spread/distribute” may have developed independently and only later merged graphically with 布.

Cloth / textile:

布 (포) — cloth

布帛 (포백) — cloth and silk

棉布 (면포) — cotton cloth

Spreading / distributing:

公布 (공포) — to promulgate; to announce

宣布 (선포) — to declare; to proclaim

分布 (분포) — distribution

散布 (산포) — to scatter; to spread

布置 (포치) — to arrange; to lay out

Buddhist / charity uses:

布施 (보시) — almsgiving

施布 (시포) — to distribute charity

Graphic variation:

Traditional Chinese distinguishes 布 (noun) and 佈 (verb):

布 — primarily noun “cloth”

佈 — verb “to distribute, arrange, deploy” (佈局, 佈告)

but many classical texts use 布 for both.

Simplified Chinese merges both into 布.

Korean reading variation:

Depending on the compound, Sino-Korean readings 포 or 보 appear:

포 — primarily for textiles (布帛, 면포).

보 — for announcements or spread (선포, 공포).

Classical citations:

《詩經·小雅·楚茨》 (Classic of Poetry – “Chu Ci”)

「布政優優。」

“They spread their governance with calm and dignity.”

布 = to spread; to administer; to extend.

《漢書·食貨志》 (Book of Han)

「布帛之利，以佐百工。」

“The wealth of cloth and silk supports the work of all artisans.”

布 = cloth, textile.

《佛說法句經》 (Dharmapada, Chinese translation)

「以布施得福。」

“Through giving (almsgiving), one gains merit.”

布 = to bestow; give; almsgive (Buddhist usage).