On the Original Meaning of Haoqiu(好逑)

Many a scholar has made their own explanation on the original meaning of 好逑cited from,on which no agreement has ever been reached.We believe that Haoqiu(好逑)means beloved female partner.The reasons are as follows: 1.In the age of Shijing,仇and雠are of the same origin,while they are different in origin from 逑 and thus not exchangeable.Such famous scholars as Duan Yucai and Wen Yiduo think that 逑 and 仇used to be exchangeable in ancient times.This conclusion is not solidly grounded at all;2.逑 is a differential character created for the extended meaning of 求(裘)——a female partner.Thus 逑and 求(裘)are of the same origin.逑 in Guanju refers to a female partner only,excluding a male one.3.The meaning of 仇 has been expanded since the Warning States Period, referring to all partners and friends of both sexes.Thus some people nowadays when citing from Shijing,mistake 好逑for 好仇.逑and 仇 are not exchangeable.逑can be written as 仇,but not vice versa.4.It is an old tradition that the public intends to compare their wives and girlfriends to clothes.Ancient people used to compare their female mates and girlfriends to 裘衣,and thus求and 逑are characterized with the same meaning of female partner.5.好逑in Guanju refers to men's beloved female partners,who are not so easy to chase and so regarded by men as obsessing darling.