Learn one Chinese Character a day - 志

Looking at our Chinese character today - 志, we know that it is composed of 士 (scholar or officer) and 心 (heart). What is the meaning of the combination? the heart of a scholar, which represents something great to pursue full heartedly.

We get its current meaning naturally from combination of 士 and 心. However is this really how 志 was created long time ago? Let us examine its evolution history: (image taken from http://vividict.com)

Learn one Chinese Character a day - 志

From Oracle Script of 志 -, we can actually see that it was formed with  (which is 之) and  (which is 心). Now its meaning of 志 is even clearer - where your heart is. That is the precise meaning of 志. Now you will not be surprised that 志 (pronounces zhì) sounds very similar to 之 (pronounces zhī).

With the understanding of 志, now let us enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 志 inside:

壮志凌云