宜 is a compound ideograph. The oracle bone script of 宜 depicts two pieces of meat on a sacrificial vessel. The line in the middle of the two pieces of meat could mean “divide or share equally”. Continue reading “宜 evolved from a noun to an adjective”
丬cognate of 爿
丬, cognate of 爿, has the same origin as 爿, serves as a semantic component to form characters. Both 丬and 爿 denote wood or things related to wood. Continue reading “丬cognate of 爿”
匿 a woman hides away
匿 is compound ideograph. 匸 resembles a container or a wall, and 若 depicts a woman. 匿 originally meant a woman hides away. Continue reading “匿 a woman hides away”
专 a spindle
专, originally composed of a spindle and a hand. The character in oracle bone script and bronze script depicts a hand holding a spindle to weave. The original meaning of 专 is a spindle. 专 serves as a phonetic component to form characters. Continue reading “专 a spindle”
传 post-chaise
In oracle bone script, 传 
= 
(人 a man) + 
(专, a hand holding a weaving spindle), suggesting the action of turning over or exchange. Continue reading “传 post-chaise”