旋

Also used in compounds for spinning, revolving, or circling motions.

Ideogrammic compound:

㫃 (“fluttering banner”) - indicates turning/swirling.

疋 (“foot, step”) - suggests motion or action.

Together, they depict “to turn about while moving one’s steps.”

Originally conveyed the idea of “turning, circling.” Later extended to abstract senses such as “return, contrary, on the other hand.”

Common in both physical rotation (objects, bodies) and figurative turns (situational changes, reversals).

旋轉 (선전) — to rotate, to spin

回旋 (회선) — to circle, to revolve

旋風 (선풍) — whirlwind, tornado

音樂會旋律 (선율) — melody, musical tune

Often paired with 轉 (turn, revolve) in compounds to reinforce motion.

Related character: 鏇 (lathe-turning), where 旋 was later borrowed as its simplified form.