臣 chén minister
minister; statesman; official; vassal
How it came to be
An eye drawn standing on end, looking up: the eye of somebody kneeling before a ruler. Whoever kneels like this and serves the king is his minister.
How it is used
- A minister/official/subject (of a ruler) - 大臣 (dàchén) a high minister/chancellor, 君臣 ruler and subject.
- 忠臣 (zhōngchén) = a loyal minister; 奸臣 = a treacherous official; 功臣 (gōngchén) = one who rendered great service.
- Historically also the self-deprecating 'I' used by an official addressing the emperor.
- A frequent character in historical dramas/idioms about court politics.