常

The glyph operates across three primary semantic axes:

1. The Invariant/Eternal: Ontological stability or universal law; that which is unchanging and perpetual (e.g., 常道).

2. The Normative/Customary: A fixed standard, established rule, or ritual precedent; the "norm" as opposed to the exception.

3. The Frequent/Habitual: Regularity in occurrence; ordinary or usual.

• Adverbial: Modifies verbs to indicate frequency or duration. (Note: Distinguish between habitual action—regular occurrence—and continuous action—without pause).
• Noun: Functions as "the norm," "the rule," or "the constant."
• Adjectival: When modifying a person or object, indicates that they are ordinary/commonplace, or conversely, steady/stable.

Contrast with 恆: While both can be translated as "constant," 常 typically describes the state of being unchanging or the existence of an established rule. 恆 more often implies endurance, persistence, or a will to remain the same over time.

Fanqie reading: 市羊; Tang-period reading: *zhiɑng.

The choice of English term depends on the active axis:

• Reference to the Way of the Universe → Eternal/Invariant
• Reference to how things are done → Customary/Standard
• Reference to frequency → Frequent/Habitual