the Three Caos (Cao Cao 曹操 and his sons Cao Pi 曹丕 and Cao Zhi 曹植), who established the Wei or Cao Wei dynasty 曹魏, and were all three noted poets and calligraphers
三
=
一
+
二
:
Mnemonic symbol: Cartesian coordinate system with three (三) axes. Socrates (s-) is performing in front of the anthill (-an1). He created an electrical flute by attaching a large capacitor (二) to the flute (一), so that he can get the attention of all the people. Moreover, he's balancing on a Cartesian coordinate system (三). Unfortunately, only three (三) people stop to watch the performance.
曹
=
一
+
曰
+
曲
:
Mnemonic symbol: a Chinese / white herring.
The King of Chu (c) called Cao Cao too often (曹) and now he's about to enter the aorta (ao2). To pay him respect the King of Chu plays a flute (一) and the Chinese / white herring (曹) plays a harp (曲). They also record their performance with a microphone (曰).
class or grade / generation / plaintiff and defendant (old) / government department (old)
曹
=
一
+
曰
+
曲
:
Mnemonic symbol: a Chinese / white herring.
The King of Chu (c) called Cao Cao too often (曹) and now he's about to enter the aorta (ao2). To pay him respect the King of Chu plays a flute (一) and the Chinese / white herring (曹) plays a harp (曲). They also record their performance with a microphone (曰).