[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Life # 巫 wū witch; wizard ## Components [[工 (gōng)]] [[工 gōng]] [[从 cóng]] ## Meaning Today, "巫" usually refers to a shaman or witch. ## History "巫" originally depicted a person performing rituals. In ancient times, these individuals, often women, invoked spirits through dance. The character resembled a person waving both sleeves. During the Shang Dynasty, "巫" referred to those who could invoke spirits through dance. By the Zhou Dynasty, there were male and female shamans, both categorized under the office of "司巫" (sī wū). Later, "巫" specifically referred to female shamans. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[巫 wū - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[巫 wū - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[巫 wū - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[巫 wū - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[巫 wū - reg.svg]]