彰

• Adjective: Clear, manifest, obvious, distinct.
• Transitive verb: To make manifest; to bring to light; to clarify or highlight.
• Social/political contexts: To publicly acknowledge, honor, or reward (specifically in relation to merit 功 or virtue 德).

The boundary between the adjective ("obvious") and transitive verb ("to make obvious") is porous. The translator should determine if the glyph is acting upon an object; if so, it typically denotes the process of rendering something visible or distinct rather than a static state of clarity.

• vs. 章: While both relate to patterns or marks, 彰 emphasizes outward display. If 章 represents the mark itself, 彰 is the act of making that mark visible to others.
• vs. 顯: Both mean manifest/obvious. However, 顯 often suggests an inherent prominence or a high social position (distinction by status), whereas 彰 tends toward the intentional—something rendered clear through specific action or quality.

When encountering this glyph in texts concerning governance or ethics, consider whether "clear" is too passive. Look for a progression from visual clarity to explicit distinction and, finally, public endorsement.