矢 shǐ arrow
arrow; to vow; to swear
How it came to be
An arrow standing point up: the head at the top, the shaft, and the feathers crossing near the bottom.
How it is used
- An arrow (literary/classical) - 有的放矢 (yǒudì-fàngshǐ), to shoot with a target in mind, means to act purposefully/to the point (opposite of 无的放矢 aimless).
- 矢志不渝 (shǐzhì-bùyú) means to vow steadfastly and never waver. Also means to vow/swear.