[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #States-and-Conditions # 力 lì power; strength ## Components [[丿 (piě)]] [[横折钩 ((héng zhé gōu))]] ## Meaning The character "力" (lì) is commonly used today with the following meanings: 1. Physical strength or force. 2. Power or influence. 3. Effectiveness or capability, as in "控制力" (control power), "生产力" (production power), and "视力" (vision power). ## History The Evolution of the Character "力" (lì) The character "力" (lì) is a pictographic character. In ancient times, it resembled a tool used for tilling the soil, symbolizing physical strength or force. Originally, "力" referred to the physical force required for activities such as tilling the soil. In oracle bone script, the character "力" closely resembled a tool used for tilling the soil. Over time, "力" came to represent not just physical strength, but also power, influence, and effectiveness. Today, it is commonly used to refer to physical strength or force, as well as the effectiveness or power of various things, such as "control力" (control power), "生产力" (production power), and "视力" (vision power). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[力 lì - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[力 lì - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[力 lì - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[力 lì - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[力 lì - reg.svg]]