[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Forms-and-Shapes # 平 píng make level; to even ## Components [[干 (gān)]] [[干 gān]] [[丷 (bǎ)]] ## Meaning Nowadays, "平" primarily means "level" or "flat." It can also mean "peaceful" or "calm." It is often used in words like "平静" (píngjìng - calm), "平坦" (píngtǎn - flat), and "平安" (píng'ān - safe and sound). Additionally, "平" is used as a surname and a common character in Chinese names. ## History The original meaning of "平" is to have a calm and smooth tone. It's extended to mean flat and level. For example, "平原" (píngyuán) means plain, and "平衡" (pínghéng) means balance. Furthermore, it's used metaphorically to mean safe and peaceful. When someone who is away from home "报平安" (bào píng'ān), they are letting their family know that they are safe and sound. In its ancient form, "平" was a compound ideograph. It combined "亏" (yū), indicating the obstruction of air but being able to overcome it, and "八" (bā), meaning to divide. This combination implies that the air overcomes the obstacle and disperses, naturally conveying a sense of calmness and smoothness in language. In modern script, it's written as "平." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[平 píng - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[平 píng -sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[平 píng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[平 píng - reg.svg]]