奉 fèng to offer
to offer; to respect; to server
How it came to be
Two hands raised together under a plant in full leaf, holding it up. Both hands and nothing else: you do not offer a thing one-handed, and the drawing makes sure of it.
How it is used
- To offer respectfully / to serve - 奉献 (fèngxiàn) devote/dedicate, 供奉 (gòngfèng) enshrine and make offerings, 奉命 (fèngmìng) act on orders.
- Polite prefix in formal speech: 奉劝 (fèngquàn) may I advise you, 奉陪 (fèngpéi) I'll keep you company. Deferential, written register.