[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Production # 兴 xīng to prosper; begin ## Components [[一 (yī)]] [[八 bā]] [[八 (bā)]] [[⺍ (xiǎo)]] ## Meaning The main uses of the character "兴" (xīng) are: 1. **Prosper/Rise**: Referring to prosperity, growth, or rising. 2. **Start/Begin**: Indicating the beginning or initiation of something. 3. **Encourage/Promote**: Used to encourage or promote something. For example: - 兴盛 (xīngshèng): Prosperous, thriving - 兴起 (xīngqǐ): To rise, to emerge - 兴办 (xīngbàn): To establish, to launch - 兴建 (xīngjiàn): To build, to construct - 兴旺 (xīngwàng): Prosperous, thriving - 兴奋 (xīngfèn): Excited, exhilarated ## History The character "兴" (xīng) is a compound ideogram, consisting of the radicals "升" (shēng), meaning to lift or raise, and "同" (tóng), meaning together or jointly. Its original meaning is to lift up or to rise. In its earliest forms, "兴" depicted four hands lifting up a vessel from four corners, indicating the idea of people working together to lift something up. Later, the character "兴" extended its meaning to signify prosperity or popularity. Nowadays, it is commonly used in expressions like "兴起" (xīngqǐ) or "兴办" (xīngbàn), which means to initiate or launch something. "兴" can also be pronounced as "xìng", highlighting its use to express psychological emotions such as happiness (高兴 - gāoxìng), interest (兴致 - xìngzhì), or disappointment (扫兴 - sǎoxìng). In summary, "兴" originally meant to lift or rise, but over time its meanings have expanded to include notions of development, success, initiation, and prosperity. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[兴 xīng - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[兴 xīng - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[兴 xīng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[兴 xīng - reg.svg]]