薦

A compound ideograph composed of:

艸 (艹) — “grass; plants,” originally related to offerings (e.g., straw mats or ritual items);

廌 — a mythical beast (haetae), symbolizing justice and discernment.

The character conveys the idea of carefully selecting and presenting someone worthy, which developed into the meaning to recommend or nominate.

Semantic development:

- offering or presenting (ritual context);

- selecting something worthy;

- recommending or nominating a person.

추천 (推薦) — recommendation; suggestion

천거 (薦擧) — nomination; recommendation

The character reflects a cultural idea of judging worthiness before recommendation, tied to the symbolic meaning of 廌 (a just mythical creature).

Related characters:

薦 — to recommend

推 — to push; to recommend (推奨, 推薦)

擧 — to raise; to nominate

選 — to choose