[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Time-and-Space # 月 yuè moon; month ## Components [[冂 (jīong)]] [[二 (èr)]] [[二 èr]] ## Meaning The character "月" (yuè) primarily signifies the moon itself. It's also metaphorically used to describe objects or colors resembling the moon. Additionally, it represents a unit of time in the lunar calendar, corresponding to a month. ## History The character "月" originally depicted the shape of a crescent moon, symbolizing the moon. Its primary meaning refers to the moon itself. The moon's cycle of waxing and waning inspired its representation. The renowned Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's poem "Quiet Night Thoughts" beautifully captures the sentiment associated with the moon's contemplation. Additionally, "舌" (shé) is a compound ideogram representing a tongue, originally depicted as the shape of a tongue protruding from a mouth. It has since extended to refer to tongue-like shapes or objects, such as flames or sharp retorts in speech. This character is also metaphorically used to describe verbal battles or debates, as seen in the idiom "唇枪舌剑" (chún qiāng shé jiàn), meaning fierce debate or verbal sparring. Today, "月" is not only used to denote the moon but also metaphorically describes objects or colors resembling the moon, such as "月亮门" (yuèliang mén), meaning a moon-shaped gate. Furthermore, it signifies a unit of time in the lunar calendar, corresponding to a month. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[月oracular.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[月bronze 1.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[月 seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[月 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[月 reg.svg]]