Learn one Chinese Character a day - 突

While we were studying 犬, we mentioned that there are many Chinese characters which are created with it. character 突 is one of the examples.

Looking at 突 carefully, it is composed of upper part - 穴 and lower part 犬. What does it mean here?
Logically two possible options:
a) a hunting dog hiding inside a cave;
b) a hunting dog rush out of a cave.

option a) sounds a bit un-reasonable, if the dog hides inside the cave, we should not be able to see it. Then 犬 would not be part of the character 突.

option b) is a much more natural description of the hunting process: suddenly the hunting dog(s) rush out of the cave where they hide to catch the prey.

Before we continue, it will be also helpful to know the ancient scripts of 突:  (image taken from: http://vividict.com)

ancient scripts of 突

It is amazing that the concept and components of 突 has not been changed starting from its Oracle script: , and its Bronze script and Seal script followed the same composition and is eventually simplified to current form - 突.

Below is the picture demonstrate the original meaning of 突:

突

From the picture of 突, we can perceive the vivid meaning of surprise and sudden. for example 突然.

And the dog will become obvious / visible after it jumps out of the cave. so 突 also has the meaning of prominent. for example: 突出.

That is all for 突, now it is time to enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 突 inside:

趵突泉

Below is the youtube video which introduces the famous 趵突泉 in Chinese.

Learn one Chinese Character a day - 吠

Same as what we have learnt for 鸣, 吠 is created with the same context - 口 plus 犬. It is to mean the bark of a dog. for example: 狗吠声.

We can see how it is evolved from its Oracle Script  , which is (犬) + (口), to its modern form - 吠.

evolution history of 吠

And enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 吠 inside:

狗吠深巷中，鸡鸣桑树颠。