[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Function-Words # 向 xiàng towards, in the direction of ## Components [[口 kǒu]] [[口 (kǒu)]] [[丶 (zhǔ)]] [[冂 (jīong)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "向" is used to indicate direction or orientation. It can refer to all spatial directions, such as north, south, east, and west. It's also used to indicate past time, meaning "formerly" or "previously." ## History The character "向" originally depicted a window on the north side of a house. Over time, it came to represent all directions. In ancient times, the shape "宀" represented a house. In oracle bone inscriptions, it was depicted with walls on both sides and a window at the top, symbolized by the mouth-like opening. According to the "Shuowen Jiezi," it meant "facing north; to contract. It consists of '一' and '口'." This suggests that the window faced north. As its original form was associated with direction, over time, "向" came to represent spatial directions, such as orientation, as well as past time, as in "向来" (xiànglái - always, all along) and "向使" (xiàngshǐ - once). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[向oracular.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[向bronze.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[向seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[向cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[向reg.svg]]