[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Objects-and-Machinery \ #Architecture # 门 mén door, gate; entrance ## Components [[丶 (zhǔ)]] [[丨 (gǔn)]] [[横折钩 ((héng zhé gōu))]] ## Meaning The character 门 (mén) in modern Chinese primarily means "door" or "gate." It is used in various contexts, including: 1. **Physical Door or Gate**: - Example: 门口 (ménkǒu) - "doorway" or "entrance." 2. **Family or Clan**: - Example: 门第 (méndì) - "family status" or "lineage." 3. **School or Discipline**: - Example: 门派 (ménpài) - "school" or "sect," often used in martial arts or academic contexts. 4. **Metaphorical Use**: - Example: 分门别类 (fēn mén bié lèi) - "to classify" or "to categorize." Overall, 门 (mén) retains its core meaning related to entrances but has expanded to include various metaphorical and cultural connotations. ## History The character 门 (mén) represents the entrance or exit of a building. In Oracle Bone Script, it depicted a complete door, while in Bronze Script, it was simplified but retained the door panels. Doors began appearing during the Shang Dynasty and became symbols of social status, with grand, decorated doors for wealthy families. "门第" (mén dì) refers to a family's social status and cultural heritage, with "书香门第" indicating a long tradition of valuing education. The term "门" also denotes groups with shared traits or relationships and is used metaphorically in classifications like "分门别类" (fēn mén bié lèi). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[门ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[门seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[门cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[门reg.svg]]