閉

• Physical/Biological: The closing of a portal or aperture (e.g., doors, gates, eyes, or the mouth).
• Systemic/Pathological: The obstruction or occlusion of a flow (e.g., qi, blood, or water).
• Social/Strategic: Sequestration or withdrawing from public life to become inaccessible.

• Transitive: To shut or block.
• Stative: To be closed or obstructed.
• Modifier: Used in compounds to describe a "shut-in" state or "closed-door" condition.

Contrast with 蔽 (to cover/shield). While 閉 refers to the closing of an opening, 蔽 refers to the covering or obscuring of a surface. Note that these may occasionally be used interchangeably in early manuscripts; the distinction between "shutting" and "shrouding" is key to the translation.

Simplified variant: 闭 (U+95ED).