The story of 范

norm, surname

范 is composed of the radical 艸 (grass) and 氾 (flood, surround). 艸 is a pictograph of grass, used to refer to plants in general. 氾 means overflowing water, carrying the sense of surrounding or encircling. Originally, 范 referred to a fence or barrier made of plants, extending to mean norm or standard. This meaning was later taken over by the character 範, and 范 is now mostly used as a surname.