[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Animals # 猫 māo cat ## Components [[犭 (quǎn)]] [[苗 miáo]] ## Meaning The character 猫 (māo) means "cat." It represents a small carnivorous mammal with soft fur, retractile claws, and typically a long tail, often kept as a pet or used for pest control. Cats are known for their agility, independence, and hunting skills, and they have been companions to humans for thousands of years. In Chinese culture, cats have both positive and negative associations. They are often admired for their beauty, grace, and ability to catch pests like mice and rats, but they can also be seen as symbols of bad luck or misfortune in certain contexts. ## History The character 猫 (māo) has a long history in Chinese writing, dating back thousands of years. Its earliest forms were pictographs resembling the shape of a cat or feline animal. Over time, these pictographs evolved into the simplified form we recognize today. As a fundamental element of Chinese language and culture, 猫 (māo) continues to symbolize the unique qualities and relationship between humans and cats. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[猫 māo - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[猫 māo - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[猫 māo - reg.svg]]