咫 Stroke Order

咫 [zhǐ] 1. Definition: An ancient unit of length in China, equivalent to eight inches in the Zhou Dynasty, which corresponds to roughly 6.22 modern Chinese inches (市尺). - Example: 咫尺. 2. Nature: (Noun) - Original meaning: An ancient measure of length, specifically referring to eight inches during the Zhou Dynasty, which is roughly equivalent to 6.22 modern inches. - Etymology: A phonetic compound, composed of the character for "inch" (尺) and the phonetic element (只). - References: 1. From "Shuowen Jiezi": The length of a woman's hand is referred to as 咫, which corresponds to Zhou measurement (尺). 2. From "Zuo Zhuan, Xigong 9 years": Heavenly might does not oppose the closeness of 咫尺. 3. From "Guoyu, Jin Yu": I am unable to walk (i.e., my distance is 咫). 4. From "Guoyu, Chu Yu": Thus it is known there is no 咫, indicating "the scarcity of something." - Example usage: 咫尺之书 (letters from close distance). 3. Nature: (Adjective) - Meaning: A metaphor for very short distances (close). - References: 1. From "Zhou Shu, Taizi": Jin viewed the road as being like 咫, indicating closeness. 2. From "Lüshi Chunqiu": One does not harm oneself or sacrifice their form; this is called filial piety. A gentleman does not take short steps and forgets it. - Example usage: 咫步 (short distance); 咫见 (superficial knowledge); 咫书 (letters that are close); 咫尺千里 (though physically close, it feels as distant as a thousand miles, describing the difficulty of traveling; also describes the difficulty of meeting); 咫只天颜 (the countenance of the emperor that is extremely close, also referring to the emperor's visage).