The configuration of “ ” came from opening the eyes. This significance was divided by “頣”and“瞋”.“ ” generated abstract meaning of “taskmaster” based on its original meaning as the feature of supervision with eyes open by taskmaster.“臣”originally came from prisoner whose position was very humble, later, part of the status of “臣”gradually improved. From Oracle to Zhou Qin literature, the status of “臣” had always been the coexistence of noble and humble. The etymology imagery and character image of “臣” phase coincidence, and the character image provides important clues for the etymology imagery.

“ ”之构形取象于张目而视，这一意义，后来为“頣”“瞋”等字分化。由于监工者张目监督的特征，“ ”在其张目而视义的基础上产生抽象的监工义。“臣”最初来源于俘虏，地位十分卑贱，后来，部分“臣”地位逐渐提高。从甲骨文至周秦文献，“臣”的地位一直是高贵与卑贱并存。“臣”之词源意象和造字取象相重合，造字取象为词源意象的探求提供了重要线索。

• 陈晓强(兰州大学文学院)