[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Landforms # 山 shān mountain ## Components [[山 (shān)]] ## Meaning The character "山" (shān) means "mountain" in Chinese. It represents a geological formation consisting of a large landmass that rises prominently above its surroundings. Mountains are significant features in nature, often revered for their grandeur and perceived as symbols of strength, stability, and endurance. ## History The character "山" (shān), meaning "mountain," has undergone significant evolution over time, transitioning from pictographic representations to its current form. Here's a narrative overview of its evolution: 1. Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文 jiǎgǔwén): The earliest known form of "山" depicted a mountain with two or more peaks. It resembled the outline of a mountain range and may have been inspired by actual topographical features. 2. Bronze Inscriptions (金文 jīnwén): In bronze inscriptions, the depiction of "山" became slightly more stylized and abstract compared to oracle bone script. However, the essential features of the mountain, including its peaks and slopes, were still discernible. 3. Seal Script (篆书 zhuànshū): The seal script form of "山" further simplified the depiction of the mountain, reducing it to a more geometric and stylized form. The emphasis on individual peaks diminished, and the character took on a more standardized appearance. 4. Clerical Script (隶书 lìshū) and Regular Script (楷书 kǎishū): In clerical and regular scripts, "山" underwent further simplification and standardization, resulting in the form we recognize today. The character adopted a square-shaped appearance, with fewer details compared to earlier forms, but still retaining its essential meaning as "mountain." Overall, the evolution of the character "山" reflects a gradual simplification and abstraction of its visual representation, while still maintaining its fundamental meaning. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[山 ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[山 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[山 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[山 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[山 reg.svg]]