Three millennia ago, ancient Chinese carved the essence of life into bone and bronze. These symbols became the DNA of Chinese characters – pictographs that breathe with the rhythm of nature.
Join us on this journey through 130 pictographs, where every stroke is a poem written in the language of creation itself.
I、植物 Plants (10 pictographs)
From a single tree to a rich variety of plants – how nature’s forms became China’s first botanical lexicon.
1. 木 (mù) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文)， the character resembles a tree with branches and roots
2. 才 (cái) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a plant breaking through the soil
3. 不 (bù) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a plant cut at the root to be stooled
4. 禾 (hé) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a grain plant with a stalk and ears
5. 米 (mǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles scattered grains.
6. 瓜 (guā) – in bronze script，this character resembles a melon or gourd with vines
7. 竹 (zhú) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles bamboo stalks with leaves
8. 屮艸/艹 (chè) – Grass (radical form) In oracle bone script, the character resembles a small plant with leaves or shoots. The double 屮 is the 草字头艹
9. 韭 (jiǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a cluster of chives with roots.
10. 齊/齐 (qí) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles evenly sprouting grain ears
II、动物 Animals (27 pictographs)
When mythical beasts and humble creatures gallop into characters – meet China’s zoological alphabet.
1. 它 (tā) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文), the character resembles a snake or elongated insect.
2. 馬/马 (mǎ) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文), the character resembles a horse with a head, mane, tail, and legs.
3. 牛 (niú) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文), the character resembles an ox with horns, a head, a hump, and a tail.
4. 羊 (yáng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a sheep with a head, horns, body, and a tail.
5. 犬 (quǎn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a dog with a tail and hanging paws.
6. 兔 (tù) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a rabbit with long ears and a short tail.
7. 豕 (shǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a pig with a head, body, and four legs.
8. 豸 (zhì) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a long-spined animal
9. 虎 (hǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a tiger with a head, body, stripes and legs.
10. 能 (néng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bear-like animal with a robust body and deer-like feet.
11. 鼠 (shǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a rodent with a long tail and pointed snout.
12. 鹿 (lù) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a deer with antlers, a head, and legs.
13. 象 (xiàng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles an elephant with a trunk, tusks, tail，and legs.
14. 鳥/鸟 (niǎo) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bird with a head, body, legs and a long tail.
15. 西 (xī) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bird nest
16. 隹 (zhuī) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bird with a head, body, and short tail.
17. 燕 (yàn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a swallow with a pointed beak, spread wings, and a forked tail.
18. 雀 (què) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a small bird with a head, body, and short tail.
19. 龍/龙 (lóng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a dragon with scales, claws, and a long body.
20. 虫 (huǐ/chóng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a coiled snake or a small insect
21. 魚/鱼 (yú) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a fish with a head, body, fins, and tail.
22. 龜/龟 (guī) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a turtle with a shell, head, and legs.
23. 黽/黾 (mǐn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a frog with a wide mouth and bulging eyes.
24. 易 (yì) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a lizard with a long body and tail.
25. 首 (shǒu) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles an animal head with hair
26. 角 (jiǎo) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a horn with a curved shape and pointed tip.
27. 卵 (luǎn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles two oval shapes representing eggs and a curved base symbolizing a nest or support beneath the eggs
28. 肉 (ròu) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a piece of meat.
III、自然现象 Natural Phenomena (17 pictographs)
Where celestial bodies dance in ink – decoding cosmic wisdom hidden in elemental characters.
1. 日 (rì) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文), the character resembles a circle with a dot or line inside, representing the sun’s disk.
2. 白 (bái) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a ray of light
3. 月 (yuè) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a crescent moon.
4. 云 (yún) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles swirling clouds.
5. 雨 (yǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a cloud with raindrops falling below.
6. 氣/气 (qì) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles rising vapor or steam.
7. 火 (huǒ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a flame with rising tendrils.
8. 申 (shēn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a zigzagging lightning bolt, clearly depicting its connection to lightning.
9. 雷 (léi) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles rolling thunderclouds and lightning
10. 水 (shuǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a central stream with smaller streams branching off.
11. 泉 (quán) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles water flowing from a source.
12. 川 (chuān) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles three flowing lines, representing the currents of a river.
13. 土 (tǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a clump of soil or a mound.
14. 阜 (fù) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a hill with a flat top.
15. 山 (shān) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles three peaks of a mountain range.
16. 丘 (qiū) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a hill with two peaks.
17. 石 (shí) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a rock with a flat base.
IV、人类 Humans (24 pictographs)
From infant innocence to aged wisdom – 24 characters mapping the human experience in strokes.
1. 人 (rén) – In oracle bone script the character depicts the outline of a standing human figure
2. 大 (dà) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with arms raised wide.
3. 夫 (fū) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a protruding head and two arms extended, representing a man or husband
4. 介 (jiè) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a head and body enclosed within a boundary, symbolizing a person in a protective or intermediary position.
5. 女 (nǚ) -In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a bent shape, symbolizing a woman or female figure, often representing a woman in a kneeling or sitting posture.
6. 兒/儿 (ér) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a child with a rounded head and two legs extended downward, symbolizing a young person or child in a standing position.
7. 子 (zǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a child with a small head and a vertical line for the body, symbolizing a child or offspring
8. 老 (lǎo) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a bent body and long hear, symbolizing an elderly person or old age.
9. 口 (kǒu) – In oracle bone script, the character the character depicts a square shape, symbolizing an open mouth or a container
10. 目 (mù) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts an eye with a central dot and a rectangular shape around it, symbolizing vision or the concept of seeing.
11. 眉 (méi) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts an eye with a line above it, symbolizing an eyebrow
12. 耳 (ěr) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts an ear with a simple curved shape
13. 自 (zì) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a head and a line representing a nose, symbolizing the concept of oneself or selfhood.
14. 頁/页 (yè) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a head with a flat shape on top, symbolizing a person’s head
15. 心 (xīn) – In oracle bone script, the character 心 depicts the shape of a heart with vessels extending from it, symbolizing the physical heart and representing the concepts of emotion, thought, and intention.
16. 身 (shēn) -In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person with a head and body, symbolizing the whole body or a person
17. 尸 (shī) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a person lying down with a horizontal line for the body, symbolizing a corpse or a dead body
18. 止 (zhǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a foot with a bent shape
19. 手 (shǒu) – In bronze script, the character 手 depicts a hand with extended fingers, symbolizing the concept of a hand
20. 又 (yòu) – In oracle bone script, the character 又 depicts a right hand with fingers extended
21. 廾 (gǒng) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts two hands placed side by side
22. 𠂇 (zuǒ) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a left hand with fingers bent inward
23. 爪 (zhǎo) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a hand with fingers or claws extended
24 母（mǔ）- In oracle bone script, the character depicts a woman with a vertical line for the body and a shape resembling a breast, symbolizing a mother
V、武器 Weapons (9 pictographs)
When bronze weapons become brushstrokes – characters forged in the fires of ancient warfare.
1. 刀 (dāo) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a blade with a handle, symbolizing a knife or cutting tool
2. 弓 (gōng) -In oracle bone script, the character depicts a bow with curved lines, symbolizing a weapon used for shooting arrows
3. 矢 (shǐ) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts an arrow with a pointed tip, symbolizing a projectile or the act of shooting
4. 戈 (gē) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a halberd with a pointed blade and a short handle, symbolizing a weapon used for battle
5. 王 (wáng) – In oracle bone script, the character 王 resembles the shape of an axe or scepter， symbolizing the authority and power of a king.
6. 斤 (jīn) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts an axe with a horizontal blade and a handle, symbolizing a weapon or tool for chopping or cutting
7. 辛 (xīn) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles an executioner’s blade, symbolizing punishment or hardship.
8. 矛 (máo) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a spear with a pointed tip and a long shaft, symbolizing a weapon used for stabbing or thrusting
9. 盾 (dùn) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a shield, symbolizing protection or defense
VI、工具和器物 Tools & Utensils (20 pictographs)
From ritual wine vessels to river rafts – everyday objects immortalized as cultural icons.
1. 工 (gōng) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a tool, symbolizing craftsmanship or the act of working.
2. 丁 (dīng) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a small, upright figure with a square shape, symbolizing a nail or a small post.
3. 干 (gān) – In oracle bone script, the character 干 resembles a type of hunting or weapon tool, like a forked spear.
4. 皿 (mǐn) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a vessel or container, symbolizing utensils used for holding food or liquids.
5. 凡 (fán) -In oracle bone script, the character depicts a basin lying on its side.
6. 豆 (dòu) – In oracle bone script, the character 豆 depicts a vessel with a lid，symbolizing a container used for holding food.
7. 缶 (fǒu) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a jar with a rounded shape and a narrow neck, symbolizing a container used for storing liquids or grains.
8. 酉 (yǒu) – In oracle bone script, the character 酉 depicts a vessel with a narrow neck and a wide base, symbolizing a container used for fermenting or storing wine.
9. 鬲 (lì) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a tripod cooking vessel with three legs and a wide, shallow body, symbolizing a container used for cooking or food preparation.
10. 壺/壶 (hú) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a large vessel with a round body and a spout, symbolizing a container used for holding liquids.
11. 鼎 (dǐng) – In oracle bone script, the character 鼎 depicts a three-legged cauldron with handles, symbolizing a large, ancient cooking vessel.
12. 網/网 (wǎng) – In oracle bone script, the character 网 depicts a net with intersecting lines forming a grid-like pattern, symbolizing a fishing or trapping net.
13. 斗 (dǒu) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a container, symbolizing a scoop used for grain or liquids.
14. 臼 (jiù) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a mortar with a round shape and a flat bottom, symbolizing a tool used for grinding or pounding.
15. 用 (yòng) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bucket.
16. 甬 (yǒng) – In bronze script, the character resembles a bell.
17. 舟 (zhōu) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a boat with a long, narrow body and a curved shape.
18. 方 (fāng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles two boats connected at the bow, emphasizing the idea of alignment and direction.
19. 車/车 (chē) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a chariot with two wheels and an axle.
20. 冊/册 (cè) – In oracle bone script (甲骨文), the character resembles bamboo slips tied with strings, used for writing in ancient China.
VII 建筑 Constructions (11 pictographs)
When architecture becomes calligraphy – buildings that live forever as character blueprints.
1.田 (tián) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a field divided into sections, symbolizing a cultivated field or farmland.
2.井 (jǐng) – In oracle bone script, the character 井 depicts a grid-like structure resembling a well’s opening or a wooden frame, symbolizing a water well or a structured layout.
3. 門/门 (mén) -In oracle bone script, the character depicts a door with two panels, symbolizing an entrance or gate.
4. 户 (hù) – In oracle bone script, the character depicts a door with one panel, symbolizing a household or family unit.
5. 向 (xiàng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a window in a house, often facing north to allow light and air.
6. 倉/仓 (cāng) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a granary with a roof and walls, used for storing grain.
7. 高 (gāo) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a tall tower or platform with a base and a raised top.
8. 行 (háng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a crossroads, emphasizing the idea of movement and direction.
9. 宮/宫 (gōng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a structure with interconnected rooms, often used for ceremonial or residential purposes.
10. 京 (jīng) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a tall structure, possibly a watchtower or ceremonial platform.
11. 瓦 (wǎ) – In seal script, the character depicts a piece of pottery, symbolizing a clay tile.
VIII 织物与衣物 Textiles & Clothing (7 pictographs)
Silk roads begin with a single thread – how textiles clothed both bodies and characters.
1. 糸/纟 (mì) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a bundle of silk threads.
2. 巾 (jīn) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles a hanging cloth with fringes
3. 求 (qiú) – In oracle bone script the character resembles a fur coat
4. 衣 (yī) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a robe with sleeves and a collar.
5. 革 (gé) – In oracle bone script the character resembles a stretched hide with markings.
6. 羽 (yǔ) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles two feathers side by side.
7. 毛 (máo) -In bronze script, the character resembles a cluster of hair or fur.
IX、财宝与贸易 Treasure & Trade (3 pictographs)
When seashells were currency – the birth of commerce in three glittering characters.
1. 玉 (yù) -In oracle bone script, the character resembles pieces of jade strung together
2. 貝/贝 (bèi) – In oracle bone script, the character resembles a cowrie shell
3. 朋 (péng) – In oracle bone script, the character two strings of cowrie shells
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the art and soul of pictographs – the earliest form of Chinese characters. Your curiosity keeps these ancient stories alive, and your passion fuels our exploration. But this is just the beginning. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep seeing the world through the beauty of Chinese characters. What will we uncover next? Stay tuned, subscribe, and let’s continue this adventure together. See you next time!