[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Architecture # 井 jǐng well ## Components [[二 (èr)]] [[丨 (gǔn)]] [[丿 (piě)]] ## Meaning The character 井 (jǐng) is primarily used to refer to a "well" or well-related structures. **Uses**: 1. **Literal Meaning**: It refers to a hole dug into the ground to obtain water. - 井水 (jǐng shuǐ) - well water - 井底 (jǐng dǐ) - bottom of the well 2. **Figurative Use**: It can be used figuratively to refer to a square-shaped structure or container. - 井盖 (jǐnggài) - manhole cover - 井框 (jǐng kuàng) - well frame ## History Originally, it was a pictograph representing a well, depicted as a square, indicating the opening of the well. In Seal Script, a dot was added in the center, probably indicanting the water inside. Finally, in Regular Script (楷书, kǎishū), the character underwent further refinement, with strokes and proportions adjusted to create a form similar to its modern printed version. Throughout its evolution, the character 井 (jǐng) has retained its fundamental meaning of "well." It is also used as a radical in other characters, often indicating concepts related to water or wells. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[井 ora 1.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[井 bronce 1.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[井 sello 1.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[井 cle 1.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[井 reg 1.svg]]