[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery | #Architecture # 斋 zhāi vegetarian food; studio ## Components [[文 wén]] [[文 (wén)]] [[而 ér]] [[而 (ér)]] ## Meaning "斋" usually refers to fasting or purifying oneself before a religious ceremony, such as before making offerings. It also means offering meals to monks, Taoists, or the poor. As a noun, it refers to a vegetarian diet or a room, like a study or a room for religious activities. ## History "斋" is a compound ideogram. The left part of the character symbolizes an altar, while the right part represents "齐" (qí), indicating that people need to purify themselves before worship. The original meaning of "斋" is to purify oneself before a sacrifice. Today, "斋" usually refers to fasting or purifying oneself before a religious ceremony, such as before making offerings. It also means offering meals to monks, Taoists, or the poor. As a noun, it refers to a vegetarian diet or a room, like a study or a room for religious activities. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[斋 zhāi - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[斋 zhāi - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[斋 zhāi - reg.svg]]