符号
fúhào · HSK 4
symbol
🔣 符 = bamboo tally + 号 = mark; together: a marked symbol
符 originally meant a split bamboo token used to verify identity (bamboo radical 竹 over 付 'hand over'). 号 means a sign or label. Combined, 符号 covers any agreed-upon mark, icon, or notation.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.