[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Sequence # 卯 mǎo the fourth Earthly Branch ## Components [[卩 (jié)]] [[撇 ((piě))]] ## Meaning In modern usage, **卯** is primarily known as the fourth Earthly Branch, one of the twelve branches used in the traditional Chinese timekeeping system to denote specific times of the day and zodiac signs. **卯时** refers to the time period from 5 AM to 7 AM, associated with early morning activities and the beginning of a new day. ## History The character **卯 (mǎo)** is a pictographic character. Its original meaning is to kill livestock for sacrifice. According to the ancient text *Shuowen Jiezi*, **卯** symbolizes the emergence of new life in the second month of the lunar calendar, when everything starts to grow. The character's shape resembles an open door, hence the second month is also called "Heaven's Gate," a metaphorical extension of **卯**. In oracle bone script, **卯** looks like two large knives facing each other. Additionally, **卯** is part of the character **劉 (liú)**, which originally meant "to kill." Later, **卯** was used as the fourth Earthly Branch in the Chinese calendar, representing the time period from 5 AM to 7 AM. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[卯 ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[卯 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[卯 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[卯 reg.svg]]