南
nán · HSK 1
south
🧭 南 (nán) = south; opposite of 北 (běi, north) on a compass
Etymology: 南 originally depicted a bronze bell or musical instrument hung facing south, the direction of warmth and sun in ancient China. Now it just means south, as in 南方 (nánfāng, southern region) or 越南 (Yuènán, Vietnam).
南 — 十 ten + 冂 enclosure + 丷 + 干
Originally a pictograph of a bronze bell or musical instrument hung on a frame, used in southern regional rites. Through phonetic loan, the character came to mean 'south' — the direction one faces when seated as ruler in ancient China. The original 'bell' meaning was lost.