八 is simple ideogram, which resembles an object which is divided into two halves. The character originally meant “separate”, a meaning now replaced by 分. 八 has been phonetically loaned for the number eight.
Continue reading “八 to halve”
Tag: same pronunciation
尧 high
尧 is derived from 堯, in which 垚 (yáo) is soil or a high mountain, and 兀 (wù) is a person in kneeling pose, so “尧” means high. 尧 is compound ideograph. Continue reading “尧 high”
丰 a utensil filled with jade strings
丰 is 豐 a pictographic character. In the oracle bone inscription, the top of 丰 is like a utensil filled with jade strings, and the bottom is like a 豆-shaped container. Continue reading “丰 a utensil filled with jade strings”
丹 cinnabar
In the oracle bone inscription, the outer shape of 丹 is like a mine, the horizontal stroke inside indicates there is cinnabar. Continue reading “丹 cinnabar”
秋 a cricket
秋 is shaped like a cricket in the oracle bone inscription to express the concept of “autumn”. Another way of its original writing in oracle bone inscription is to add a”火 fire” under the shape of a cricket, which means that the crops are ripe in autumn and they are like burning fire. Continue reading “秋 a cricket”