[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Politics-and-Military # 守 shǒu guard, keep watch ## Components [[宀 (mián)]] [[宀 mián]] [[寸 (cùn)]] [[寸 cùn]] ## Meaning Today, the character "守" primarily means "to guard" or "to defend." It also implies "to keep" or "to maintain," often used in phrases like "保守" (conservative) or "守时" (punctual). ## History "守" is a compound ideogram, and its original meaning is "to defend." In the ancient script, the external structure looks like a house, and inside is the character "手" (hand), indicating the action of guarding or controlling. In the seal script, the character "寸" (inch) was added beside the "手" (hand). Later, in the regular script, "守" took its present form. "守" also extended its meaning to "waiting" or "expecting," as seen in the phrase "守株待兔" (waiting at a stump for a hare). Additionally, it is often used to describe someone who maintains the status quo and avoids change, as in "保守" (conservative) or "因循守旧" (stick to old ways). It signifies guarding everything inside the house by holding the door with one's hand. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[守 shǒu - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[守 shǒu - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[守 shǒu - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[守 shǒu - reg.svg]]