[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Literature-and-Education # 令 lìng order, command ## Components [[人 rén]] [[人 (rén)]] [[厶 (sī)]] [[丶 (zhǔ)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "令" is still used to mean "to issue orders" or "to command." It also refers to government officials. Additionally, it can mean "to cause" or "to let" in certain contexts. ## History The character "令" is a compound ideographic character. In Oracle Bone Script, it consisted of the character for "bell" and "person," symbolizing the act of issuing orders. Later, it evolved to also signify a command or instruction. In the "Shuowen Jiezi," an ancient Chinese dictionary, it is described as: "令，发号也。从人、从口。” The original meaning of "令" is to issue orders. It is also used to indicate command or instruction. For example, in the "Records of the Grand Historian" by Sima Qian, it is written: "豆能令君胜.” Additionally, it referred to government officials, such as "尚书令" (Chief of the Imperial Secretariat) and "郎中令" (Prefect of the Ministry of Rites). In ancient times, government officials would issue orders from the majestic roofs of official buildings. Today, "令" still means "to issue orders" and is also used to refer to government officials. Additionally, it means "to cause" or "to let". ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[令 lìng - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[令 lìng - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[令 lìng - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[令 lìng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[令 lìng - reg.svg]]