行
xíng · HSK 1
go
🚶 Originally a pictograph of a crossroads — two intersecting paths where people go
The oracle-bone form of 行 shows a four-way intersection. From 'road' it extended to 'walk, go, travel', then to abstract senses like 'prevail' or 'circulate'. Same character read háng means 'row, line, firm'.
行 — crossroads pictograph (left 彳 + right 亍)
行 originally pictured a four-way crossroads in oracle bone script, with two paths meeting. From 'road' it extended to 'walk, go, travel,' and then to 'a row, line' or 'business firm' (read háng). The two halves 彳 and 亍 are the split sides of that ancient crossroads.