Today we examine another character related to 牛: 牢. It is the drawing of a house roof (Radical 宀) with a buffalo (牛) inside. What is the meaning of 牢? Cattle-shed where a buffalo is locked in.
 |
| 牢 - cattle shed |
That is 牢's original meaning. 牢 is also extended to mean any places where prisoners or other animals is imprisonment. For example: 牢房.
Since 牛 is very important property of a family, which is a very strong animal, 牢 need to be built very firm and secure. that is why 牢 is further extended to mean firm and secure as well. For example 牢固. The same meaning can be concluded from firmness and security a prison should have.
Before ending our study today, evolution history of 牢 would give us better understanding of this character: (image taken from http://vividict.com)
 |
| evolution history of 牢 |
Oracle script 
is put 
inside a 
(fence). When it comes to Seal script 
, Chinese ancestors added an extra 
to lock the inside properly.
is put inside a (fence). When it comes to Seal script , Chinese ancestors added an extra to lock the inside properly.
That is all for 牢, let us enjoy a Chinese Seal Art with 牢 inside:
 |
| 牢城朱记 |
No comments:
Post a Comment