[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Interpersonal-Relationships # 爱 ài love; affection ## Components [[爫 (zhǎo)]] [[冖 (mì)]] [[友 yǒu]] ## Meaning The character "爱" (ài) nowadays primarily denotes love or affection. It encompasses various forms of emotional attachment and care, such as romantic love between partners, familial love, friendship, compassion, and empathy. It signifies a deep emotional bond and genuine concern for others, reflecting sentiments that originate from the heart. ## History Originally, the character "爱" was written as "y", resembling a person holding a heart with both hands, their mouth wide open as if expressing their love. In the traditional form "愛", the component "心" (heart) is retained, indicating that "爱" represents a deep emotion originating from the heart. This is the original meaning of "爱". Nowadays, besides referring to romantic love between individuals, "爱" also encompasses broader human emotions, including familial affection, friendship, and more. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[爱bronze 1.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[爱 seal 1.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[爱 clerical.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[爱 regular 1.svg]]