fang1

fang1 means 'square'

• How is the Character pronounced?
• What are the calligraphy steps?

fang1 is from the pattern  which means 'a plough'. Its meaning of 'square' may have been from the observation that inserting the plough into the soil at a right angle is the most efficient way of tilling soil. Other meanings of fang1 are 'direction', 'locality', 'method' and 'recipe'.

li4fang1 means 'cubic' and literally translates as 'stand'-'square'.

li4 means 'stand' and is a graphical representation of a man with two legs firmly planted on the ground.

di4fang1 means 'place' and literally translates as 'ground'-'square'.

di4 is made up of the two components.  tu3 which means 'soil' and  ye3 which in ancient times denoted the 'snake'. Together the meaning becomes 'soil where the snakes are'.