[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Animals # 飞 fēi to fly ## Components [[飞 (fēi)]] ## Meaning Nowadays, the character 飞 (fēi) means "to fly" or "to soar" and is used in various contexts to describe rapid movement, something floating or moving in the air, and things that come unexpectedly or suddenly. It retains its original association with birds and insects flying, but has also expanded to include metaphorical and figurative uses such as swift actions, sudden occurrences, and things that happen quickly. ## History Pictographic character. The seal, clerical, and standard scripts all resemble a bird spreading its wings and flying. Its original meaning is "to fly." 1. Birds, insects, etc., flapping their wings in the air: 飞翔 (to soar), 飞鸟 (flying bird), 飞虫 (flying insect). 2. Floating or moving in the air: 飞云 (floating cloud), 飞舞 (dancing in the air), 飞扬 (fluttering). 3. Very fast: 飞奔 (to dash), 飞跑 (to run swiftly), 飞涨 (to rise rapidly). 4. Unexpected or coming out of nowhere: 飞祸 (unexpected disaster), 飞灾 (sudden misfortune), 飞语 (groundless rumor). ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[飞 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[飞 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[飞 reg.svg]]