cóng
related components & characters
[object Object]
classical translation
from, since
ecological image
lateral leaves
Leaves on the plant that grow laterally in an opposite formation. The source of the interpretation of this image as grains comes from other characters, including 來 where the leaves are seen on either side of the plant. On grain plants like millet, wheat, or barley, the lateral leaves grow in levels up the stem of the plant and are used by farmer's to determine stages of plant growth in order to determine the best time to harvest the crop.
nuanced meaning
Passage of Time
Lateral leaves grow along the stem of the plant in a pattern that signifies the plant's age and the passage of time. The concept of 'from' or 'since' likely originated from the practice of using these lateral leaves to track the passage of time in the practice of farming.