雙

A compound ideograph composed of:

隹 + 隹 — two short-tailed birds, symbolizing a pair.

又 (또 우) — “hand,” indicating action or possession.

The image depicts a person holding two birds, one in each hand — a vivid illustration of a pair being brought together.

From this pictorial origin, the meaning expanded from “two birds together” to “pair,” “both,” and later “double / even.”

쌍둥이 (雙生) — twins; born as a pair

쌍방 (雙方) — both sides; mutual parties

쌍안경 (雙眼鏡) — binoculars (“two eyes”)

쌍날개 (雙翼) — double wings; biplane

쌍곡선 (雙曲線) — hyperbola; double curve

Used widely in compound words to indicate duality, correspondence, or evenness

雙 holds rich symbolism in East Asian culture, especially in art and poetry.

It represents union, harmony, love, and auspicious balance.

In Chinese weddings, the character 雙喜 (Double Happiness) — written as 囍 (two 喜 joined) — is a traditional symbol of marital bliss.

Likewise, 雙燕 (paired swallows) or 雙魚 (two fish) are classical motifs for fidelity and harmony.

In philosophical contexts, 雙 reflects yin–yang complementarity — the coexistence of two opposite yet harmonious forces.

In poetry, it often evokes imagery of paired creatures — swallows, butterflies, mandarin ducks — symbolizing eternal companionship.