[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Deities-and-Spirits # 神 shén deity; divinity; inmortal ## Components [[礻 (shì)]] [[申 shēn]] ## Meaning Today, it retains its meaning of "spirit" or "god" but has expanded to denote excellence, awe, or admiration. It's commonly used to describe exceptional skills, talents, or remarkable feats, both in formal and informal contexts. Additionally, it's employed in internet slang to express surprise or admiration. Beyond its traditional religious connotations, "神" is also used in discussions of psychology and philosophy to refer to the mind, consciousness, or spirituality. In summary, while rooted in ancient beliefs, "神" now encompasses a broader spectrum of meanings reflecting contemporary linguistic usage. ## History The character "神" (shén) has evolved from a pictographic representation. Its earliest form depicted an altar used for worshiping gods, composed of the radical 示 (shì), indicating "to show," and its shape resembling that of a sacrificial offering table. Additionally, it integrated the radical 申 (shēn), resembling lightning, representing celestial deities, and also carrying phonetic connotations. Its primary meaning is associated with celestial beings. In ancient scripts, "神" was depicted resembling lightning or with an additional radical 示. Over time, it underwent simplification and standardization, eventually appearing as "神" in regular script. The original meaning of "神" referred to celestial gods, as seen in texts like the "Rites of Zhou," which described their role in rituals and governance. The term broadly encompasses spiritual beings and immortals, as indicated in passages like the "Zuo Zhuan." Due to the extraordinary power attributed to deities, "神" also extends metaphorically to denote exceptional, awe-inspiring qualities, as in "神机妙算" (astounding calculations). Furthermore, it can refer to the mind or consciousness, as exemplified in "Zhuangzi," where it describes mental faculties beyond mere physical perception. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[神 shén - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[神 shén - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[神 shén - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[神 shén - reg.svg]]