a small manifesto for the reclamation of the etymologies of hanzi with the 女 radical
written by a person who would also traditionally be described by the 女 character
【ENTRY 1】 如, traditionally "obey", "follow"; now "if", "like", "as"
traditional etymology: a woman (女) obeying the orders (口) of her master.
reclaimed etymology: when a woman (女) speaks (口), you must listen.
【ENTRY 2】 安, "peace", "tranquility"
traditional etymology: a woman (女) under a roof (宀), implying obligatory domestic duties.
reclaimed etymology: a woman (女) under a roof (宀), enjoying a quiet night in.
【ENTRY 3】 奴, "slave"
traditional etymology: a woman (女) led by her master's hand (又).
reclaimed etymology: a woman (女) forced to do the same thing over and over again (又), with "woman" here afforded the same inclusive personhood as "man" or "人".
【ENTRY 4】 好, "good"
traditional etymology: a woman (女) with a child (子): a good combination.
reclaimed etymology: a woman (女) sowing a seed or seeds (子): the seeds for a bountiful harvest, the seeds of revolution in people's minds, the seed that creates a child... the possibilities for good are endless when women are given the agency to act.
【ENTRY 5】 姦, "adultery", "debauchery"
traditional etymology: three women (女). who knows what they're up to. it's inherently suspicious.
reclaimed etymology: a group of people in the realm of womanhood (女) who have abandoned men and the patriarchy to form a commune centered on celebrating and loving femininity. such radical actions are interpreted by the broader cisheteronormative society as "adulterous" and "debauched". members of the commune like to challenge what "debauched" even means.