| 臣 chén |
| minister ; submit oneself to |
| 大臣 dà chén |
| 臣服 chén fú | |
Its original meaning was “slave”. Slaves are bowing their heads before their master. When a slave lowers his head, the master may find that his eye seems vertical. Hence, the ancient people made use of the vertical eye to give the meaning of “loyal minister” |