凶 xiōng culprit
culprit; bad; vicious; fierce; ominous
How it came to be
An open pit with a cross drawn in the bottom: the mark on a hole nobody was supposed to step in. It is the trap, and everything unlucky that follows from falling into one.
How it is used
- Fierce, vicious, or ominous - 凶猛 (xiōngměng) ferocious, 凶恶 (xiōng'è) fierce and malicious, 凶手 (xiōngshǒu) murderer.
- Also 'ill-omened, disastrous' - 吉凶 (jí-xiōng) good and bad fortune; opposite of 吉 (auspicious).
- Colloquially of manner - 他对我很凶 (tā duì wǒ hěn xiōng) he's really harsh/fierce toward me.