[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Intelligence # 圣 shèng holy, sacred; master, emperor ## Components [[又 (yòu)]] [[又 yòu]] [[土 (tǔ)]] [[土 tǔ]] ## Meaning Today, the character "圣" is commonly used to express respect and reverence towards someone or something, particularly in religious or moral contexts. For example, "sacred", "holy", "hallowed ground", etc. The character "圣" is also used to refer to an emperor or a master, indicating the highest authority or excellence in a particular field. For example, "帝圣" (imperial sage) refers to an emperor who is revered as wise and virtuous, and "圣人" (sage) refers to a wise and virtuous person who has achieved the highest level of moral and intellectual excellence. ## History The character 圣 (shèng) originally meant to understand the principles of things. In oracle bone script, it depicts a person with a large ear, symbolizing someone who is wise and understands by listening. Over time, it evolved to refer to wise and knowledgeable individuals, often associated with the emperor or revered figures. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, is called the "Supreme Sage." Later, 圣 (shèng) also came to refer to individuals who excelled in a particular field. For example, Zhang Zhongjing, a great physician in the Han Dynasty, is revered as the "Medical Sage, 医圣." Wang Xizhi, a calligraphy master in the Jin Dynasty, is called the "Calligraphy Sage, 书圣." Similarly, Du Fu, a renowned poet in the Tang Dynasty, is known as the "Poetry Sage, 诗圣," and Lu Yu, a tea expert, is honored as the "Tea Sage, 茶圣." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[圣 shèng - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[圣 shèng - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[圣 shèng - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[圣 shèng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[圣 shèng - reg.svg]]