风尚
fēng shàng · HSK 7
current custom
🌬️ 风 wind + 尚 esteem = what the wind of esteem currently blows toward
风 means wind or trend; 尚 means to esteem or value. Together: the trend people currently hold in high regard — the prevailing fashion or custom of the moment.
风 — 几 (table) + 虫 (insect)
Originally written 鳳 (phoenix), later simplified. The traditional form 風 contains 虫 (insect), reflecting an old belief that wind brought insects or that creatures stirred with the wind. The modern simplified 风 keeps 几 as an outer frame around 㐅.
尚 — 八 (eight/divide) over 向 (window/direction)
Originally depicted vapor or breath rising and dispersing upward from an opening, suggesting elevation and what is above. From this came the meanings 'still,' 'yet,' and 'to esteem' — what one looks up to. The modern senses of 'esteem' and 'still/yet' both stem from this upward orientation.