吉祥

Etymology & Components

The Chinese character 吉祥 (jíxiáng) is composed of two parts: 吉 (jí) and 祥 (xiáng). 吉 originally meant "good luck" or "auspiciousness", while 祥 meant "omen" or "sign". When combined, 吉祥 came to mean "good fortune" or "prosperity".The earliest known use of 吉祥 dates back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC), when it was used on oracle bones. In the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC), 吉祥 was used in bronze inscriptions and other ritual objects. By the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), 吉祥 had become a common word in Chinese literature and everyday speech.Today, 吉祥 is still one of the most common words used to express good wishes in Chinese culture. It is often used in greetings, such as 吉祥如意 (jíxiáng rúyì, "good luck and good fortune") and 吉祥安康 (jíxiáng ānkāng, "good luck and good health"). 吉祥 is also used in the names of many Chinese businesses and organizations, such as 吉祥航空 (jíxiáng hángkōng, "吉祥 Airlines") and 吉祥物 (jíxiángwù, "mascot").The character 吉祥 is a powerful symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. It is a reminder that even in the midst of difficult times, there is always hope for a better future.