[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Facial-Actions # 望 wàng observe; toward, to ## Components [[亡 wáng]] [[月 yuè]] [[月 (yuè)]] ## Meaning The character "望" in Chinese signifies "to gaze into the distance" or "to look afar." It depicts a person standing on elevated ground, symbolizing the act of looking far into the distance. Additionally, it can also mean "hope" or "expectation" when used metaphorically, and historically, it denoted distant worship or reverence. ## History "望" is a compound ideograph. In oracle bone script, it depicts a person standing on a soil mound, looking far away. The character's original meaning is "to gaze into the distance". It is derived from the image of a person looking afar while standing on elevated ground. In bronze inscriptions, the addition of the "moon" element clarifies the character's meaning. In ancient times, "望" also conveyed the idea of distant worship, referring to the imperial sacrifices to mountains, rivers, the moon, and stars. Today, besides its literal meaning, "望" is also extended to signify visiting or calling on someone, as in "看望" (visit) or "探望" (pay a visit to). As a noun, it can also denote reputation or fame. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[望 ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[望 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[望 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[望 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[望 reg.svg]]