WebMay 8, 2024 · Phono-semantic compound ( 形聲 / 形声, OC *plum, *plums ) : phonetic 凡 (OC *bom) + semantic 虫 (“insects”). Ancient Chinese people thought that insects appear with wind. (Insects refer to any kind of animal, such as tigers ( 大蟲 )). In the oracle bone script, the character 鳳 ( OC *bums, “male fenghuang ”) was phonetically ...