Learn one Chinese Character a day - 竹

What is the obvious characteristics that differentiate bamboo from other plants? The bamboo joint and its down-facing leaves. Below is a typical picture of bamboos.

Drawing bamboo joint is not easy, Chinese ancestors thus drew its down-facing leaves to represent this special plant - Bamboo.

Oracle Script of 竹 is showing the concept utilised - , which is the drawing of bamboo leaves facing downwards.

Bronze Script included the trunk of bamboo and emphasised the fact that bamboo leaves grow from the join.

Seal Script ,added more leaves to re-emphasise the down-facing leaves of bamboo.

Below is the evolution history: (image get from http://www.vividict.com)

Learn one Chinese Character a day - 竹

So 竹 means Bamboo.

Let us enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 竹 inside:

竹 - 高风亮节