Learn one Chinese Character a day – 背

In our lesson of "北" long time ago that its original meaning is "back to", since it was borrowed to mean North, Chinese ancestors created a new character "背" to mean the same.

Look at "背" carefully, its upper part is 北 with its lower part as "月". Here "北" contains the meaning as well as pronunciation. "月" is added to mean the "the back of a person". So overall "背" now has two major meanings, one is "Back of a person or something", second is "Go against".

Evolution history of "背" would show a clearer idea: (image get from http://www.vividict.com )

Learn one Chinese Character a day – 背

"背" started from Seal Script with "月" added below "北", before that I guess it was just same as "北". 

Now it is time to enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 背 inside:

依然临送渚，长望倚河津。。。。如何相背远，江汉与城闉。