[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Sequence # 主 zhǔ host; ownwer ## Components [[王 (wáng，yù)]] [[丶 (zhǔ)]] ## Meaning The character "主 (zhǔ)" has several meanings in modern Chinese: 1. **Host:** Refers to the person who organizes or is in charge of an event or gathering. 2. **Owner:** Refers to the person who owns or has authority over something. 3. **Main:** Indicates the primary or main aspect of something. 4. **To master:** Refers to the act of mastering or being proficient in something. ## History The character "主 (zhǔ)" originally depicted a lamp wick, symbolizing the central part of a lamp. In Oracle Bone Script, it combined the "wood" radical below with the "fire" radical above, resembling a burning torch. In Small Seal Script, it resembled a lit oil lamp. The character "主" was also used to represent the lamp wick, later borrowed to represent "master" or "ruler." To represent the concept of the master of the house, another character "炷" was created. "主" is used as a verb, meaning "to host" or "to manage," as in "主持会议 (zhǔchí huìyì)" which means "to chair a meeting." Additionally, it is commonly used as an adjective meaning "main" or "primary." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[主 zhǔ - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[主 zhǔ - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[京 jīng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[主 zhǔ - reg.svg]]