起

Denotes a transition from repose, stillness, or a low position to activity or elevation:

1. Physical Motion: To rise or stand up; emphasizes the act of rising rather than the destination.

2. Initiation: To begin, start, or originate; applies to concrete tasks as well as abstract processes (e.g., legal cases or conflicts).

3. Emergence: The stirring or welling up of internal psychological states, such as emotions, doubts, or thoughts.

• Primary Verb: Functions as the main predicate.
• Directional/Resultative Complement: May appear after another verb to indicate that an action has successfully started or is moving in an upward direction.

• 立 (lì): Refers to the state of standing or the act of establishing, whereas 起 refers to the movement into that state.
• 兴 (xīng): Often carries connotations of flourishing, prosperity, or collective uprising, while 起 is more neutral and frequently pertains to an individual.
• 发 (fā): Implies a sudden or explosive outward release; 起 emphasizes vertical transition from stillness to motion.

Tang-period reading: *kiə̌

The glyph is neutral regarding agency when describing the emergence of a condition or feeling. It can denote either a conscious initiation or a spontaneous occurrence depending on the subject's role in context.