[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Motion-Conditions # 系 xì to tie; sequence; system ## Components [[丿 (piě)]] [[糸 (mì)]] ## Meaning Today, the character 系 (xì) primarily means "to tie," "to bind," or "to connect." It is commonly used in various contexts, such as 系列 (xìliè), meaning "series" or "sequence," and 系统 (xìtǒng), meaning "system." The character retains its original connotation of binding or linking, while also being associated with relationships and connections in a broader sense. ## History The character 系 (xì) is a compound ideogram. In oracle and bronze inscriptions, it visually represents hands (claws) tying together two or three strands of silk. In small seal script, the character includes 糸 (silk) and a component indicating pulling or dragging. The original meaning of 系 is "to tie" or "to bind." Historically, 系, 係, and 紧 were three different characters, but in modern usage, they have been simplified and unified under the character 系. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[系 ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[系 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[系 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[系 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[系 reg.svg]]