bei`, Originally, a drawing of a cowry shell. Now frequently is used to mean "precious" and as a component in han` zi` having to do with value.
dao¯, Originally, a drawing of a Chinese-style knife, which looks rather like a cleaver. A knife, a sword.
ge¯, halberd, a hafted weapon similar to a spear except that it is intended for slashing as well as for piercing. [A surname.]
he´, Originally, a drawing of a heavy head of grain weighing down the stalk of a grain plant. Now it is mainly used as a "radical," i.e., a component of a han` zi` used to group han` zi` into categories of general meaning in the dictionary.
jin¯, a kerchief, a bandana, a towel
mian´, Originally, a drawing of a neolithic (?) thatched hut. Now it is used as a "radical," or dictionary category heading, for han` zi` that have something to do with habitations.
mu`, Originally, a picture of an eye. (Now it is rotated 90 degrees.) It is now normally used only in compounds (somewhat as a Greek root- word might be used as a part of an English word) having to do with eyes, vision, targets, etc.
mu`, Originally, a picture of a tree (with trunk, branches, and roots), it now is used both to mean "wood," and as a part of compounds having to do with trees or with wooden artifacts.
wei´, a perimeter; to surround. This is the primitive form of the character, now used only as a "radical," or dictionary category heading.
yi¯, one. (Originally, this han` zi` was written vertically, just like an arabic numeral.)