隆 lóng prosperous
prosperous; plentiful; abundant
How it came to be
A mound with the descend block, two feet pointing down, and the life block, a growing shoot. Coming down a slope to where things grow: plenty drawn as a place, not an amount.
How it is used
- Grand/thriving: 隆重 (lóngzhòng) grand and solemn (of ceremonies) - 隆重的婚礼 (lóngzhòng de hūnlǐ) a lavish wedding, 兴隆 (xīnglóng) booming (of business).
- Also a swelling/bulge - 隆起 (lóngqǐ) to bulge up, 隆胸 (lóngxiōng) breast augmentation.
- And onomatopoeia for a deep rumble: 轰隆隆 (hōnglónglóng) the rumble of thunder or engines. Note 克隆 (kèlóng) 'clone' just borrows the sound.