[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Interpersonal-Relationships # 母 mǔ mother ## Components [[母 (mǔ)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "母 (mǔ)" primarily retains its original meaning of "mother" in modern Chinese. It still refers to a female parent or someone who nurtures and cares for others like a mother. It can also refer to female animals in the context of reproduction. Additionally, it serves as a component in various compound words and phrases related to family, childcare, and gender. ## History The character "母 (mǔ)" originated as a pictographic representation of a woman breastfeeding, symbolizing maternity. Its original meaning refers to a mother. In ancient times, the character depicted a woman kneeling with two dots in the middle representing nipples, illustrating the act of nursing an infant. Beyond denoting a human mother, "母" extended to refer to female animals capable of reproduction. Additionally, it metaphorically signifies the origin or source of something, as in the expression "失败是成功之母," meaning "Failure is the mother of success." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[母 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[母 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[母 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[母 reg.svg]]