[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Transportation # 邮 yóu postal; mail ## Components [[由 yóu]] [[⻏ (yì)]] ## Meaning Nowadays, the character "邮" (yóu) primarily refers to anything related to the postal service, such as mail, postage, or the act of sending letters or packages. It is commonly seen in words like: - **邮局** (yóujú) – post office - **邮票** (yóupiào) – postage stamp - **邮寄** (yóujì) – to mail or send by post The original meaning of a postal station has evolved into the broader concept of modern postal services. ## History The character "邮" is a compound character, combining elements of associative and phonetic components. It originally consists of the components "垂" (meaning frontier) and "量" (representing cities), symbolizing a station where official documents were transmitted between cities and frontier areas. In its simplified form, the character includes "邑" (city) and "由" (pronounced 'yóu'), with "由" indicating the sound and meaning of passing through. This suggests that, in ancient times, postal stations for transmitting official documents were strategically placed between cities. The original meaning of "邮" refers to a postal station. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[邮 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[邮 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[邮 reg.svg]]