[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Production # 干 gān trunk; backbone ## Components [[一 yī]] [[一 (yī)]] [[十 shí]] [[十 (shí)]] ## Meaning Today, "干" generally means "to do" or "work." It's commonly used in words related to work, such as "工作" (gōngzuò) meaning "work" or "job." Additionally, it can mean "dry" or "to dry" when used in certain contexts. ## History "Gan" is a pictophonetic character. In oracle bone script, it resembled hunting or military equipment like a forked spear. The "Gan" was a type of weapon shaped like a fork, mainly used to defend against attacks from humans or wild animals. It could easily grasp the neck of an opponent. In ancient texts, "Gan" also referred to a shield. In the bronze script, a large lump was added to the top. In seal script the character took different forms; "乾", "幹", but later in clerical script it was standardized into its current form. I was also used to mean offense or aggression. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[干 gān - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[干 gān - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[干 gān - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[干 gān - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[干 gān - reg.svg]]