[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Plants # 瓜 guā melon; gourd ## Components [[厶 (sī)]] [[厂 (chǎng，ān，hān，yán)]] [[厂 chǎng，ān，hān，yán]] [[斜捺 ((xié nà))]] ## Meaning Today, the character "瓜" primarily refers to melons, gourds, or cucumbers, encompassing various fruits and vegetables of the gourd family. It can also metaphorically represent objects shaped like gourds and is associated with idiomatic expressions related to complex relationships or succession. ## History The character "瓜" originated as a pictographic symbol representing a plant with its fruit attached, resembling a vine with a mature melon hanging from it. Over time, its form simplified, evolving into the present-day script "瓜". In its original sense, "瓜" referred to various fruits and vegetables of the gourd family, including melons, pumpkins, and cucumbers. This term also extended metaphorically to objects shaped like gourds, such as ceremonial weapons like the "金瓜" (golden gourd) or headgear like the "瓜皮帽" (melon hat). Additionally, it's associated with the phrase "瓜代," symbolizing succession or taking over a position. The character's pictorial nature in ancient scripts depicted the likeness of a vine with a fruit. While initially used to denote a specific plant, "瓜" later acquired broader meanings, such as the intricate relationships symbolized by the intertwined vines of a melon plant, as seen in idiomatic expressions like "瓜葛" (complicated relationship). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[瓜 guā - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[瓜 guā - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[瓜 guā - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[瓜 guā - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[瓜 guā - reg.svg]]