禱

It is a phono-semantic compound, composed of:

示 (altar, to show, ritual) – semantic element, indicating sacrifice or prayer before the altar;

壽 (su, long life) – phonetic element, also linked semantically with longevity and blessings.

Historical forms:

Oracle bone script (甲骨文): 禱 appears with the same form as 祝 (to pray, to invoke), reflecting their shared ritual meaning.

Bamboo Texts of Guodian (楚簡): found written with a variant of 壽 as the phonetic, and sometimes as 曰 + 示 arranged vertically.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字): gives the “Zhou script” form (籒文) as 𥜹 (⿰⿱𠃬示⿱眞夂), interpreting it as 𠃬 (phonetic, later part of 壽) combined with 眞 (truth, sincerity) and 夂 (to follow, to proceed) to emphasize the sense of “genuinely praying for blessings.”

Other variants include 𥛇, where 𠃬 directly functions as the phonetic without 壽.

Semantic range:

- to pray, to supplicate – especially solemn prayer before heaven or deities.

- to implore blessings – with an emphasis on longevity, health, or good fortune.

- in compounds: often appears paired with 祈, as in 祈禱 (to offer prayers).

Today it remains in widespread use across East Asia, most often in compounds meaning prayer, supplication, and benediction.

기도 (祈禱) – prayer

배도 (拜禱) – to bow and pray

축도 (祝禱) – benediction, blessing prayer