[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Foot-Actions # 行 háng，xíng behaviour; conduct ## Components [[彳 (chì)]] [[二 èr]] [[二 (èr)]] [[亅 (jué)]] ## Meaning The character "行" (háng, xíng) has multiple meanings and pronunciations. Originally, it represented a road or pathway, depicted by two intersecting lines, indicating a crossroads. Later, it also came to represent a military formation or troops on the move. Over time, its pronunciation and usage evolved. In its original sense, pronounced "háng," it refers to a road or pathway. When pronounced "xíng," it signifies to walk or travel, as well as to engage in or carry out activities. It can also denote a journey or distance traveled. ## History The character "行" originally depicted two intersecting roads, representing a path or route. Over time, it also came to refer to military formations or troops, indicating soldiers marching along a road. This dual meaning reflects the connection between movement on roads and military procession. Later, "行" underwent a phonetic shift (from "háng" to "xíng"), broadening its usage to signify actions like progress, walking, or operation. In its pictographic form, "行" resembled a crossroads, as seen in oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions. This visual evolved into the modern character "行." Its original meaning, pronounced as "háng," referred to roads or pathways, as in "女执懿筐，遵彼微行" from the Book of Songs. It extended to formations or teams, as seen in the Chu Ci's "変余降今躐余行." The alternate pronunciation "xíng" is associated with walking or traveling, as exemplified in Li Shangyin's verse "八骏日行三万里." Additionally, "xíng" can denote engagement in activities or tasks, such as "他为人行事不错." It also carries the specific meaning of distance or journey, as in "千里之行，始于足下." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[行 háng，xíng - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[行 háng，xíng - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[行 háng，xíng - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[行 háng，xíng - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[行 háng，xíng - reg.svg]]