[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Mentality # 礼 lǐ ceremony, ritual ## Components [[礻 (shì)]] [[乚 (yǐ)]] ## Meaning Today, the character 礼 (lǐ) primarily signifies "ritual" or "ceremony" in modern Chinese usage. It encompasses various forms of formalized behavior, etiquette, and ceremonial observances, often associated with social or religious rituals. Additionally, it can imply "etiquette" or "manners" in general societal interactions. ## History In ancient oracle bone and bronze scripts, the character 礼 depicted a tall-footed vessel, known as "豆," containing two strings of jade, symbolizing offerings made to the gods. During the Shang Dynasty, people placed beautiful jade inside vessels as offerings to deities, hence the original meaning of 礼 as sacrificial vessels used in worship. In seal script, the character evolved to include the radical 示 (shì), representing the display of offerings on an altar, emphasizing its association with rituals. After script simplification, it became 禮, and later simplified to 礼. Confucius lectured his students on etiquette, emphasizing its importance. As a compound ideogram, the oracle bone script resembles a tall-footed plate (豆) containing two strings of jade, indicating reverence and worship. In seal script, the addition of 示 (shì), symbolizing offerings displayed on an altar, further emphasized its association with rituals. 禮 simplified to 礼. Its original meaning is to show respect to the gods. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[礼 lǐ - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[礼 lǐ - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[礼 lǐ - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[礼 lǐ - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[礼 lǐ - reg.svg]]