友

 We have learnt 朋 in our last post. Today we move on to the character which is always used together with 朋 as 朋友, which means friend.

what does 友 mean here?  Recall what we have learnt when we studied 有 (https://xiongzou.blogspot.com/2015/12/learn-one-chinese-character-day_29.html) and 又 (https://xiongzou.blogspot.com/2015/12/learn-one-chinese-character-day_27.html), we can tell that 友 is composed of two hands. And we would not be surprised that 友 sounds much like 又 as well as 有.

However till now, we cannot give any reasonable guess for what 友 represents. As usual, its ancient scripts should help us to have a better understanding of 友, as shown below:

evolution history of 友

From its Oracle script, it is quite clear that  is drawing of two hands (both right hands) (to work / point to same direction). It is more likely the same idea of picture below:

One of its Bronze script variant , with an extra 口 underneath two hands. We believe it means to SAY: "let us work together".

Thus 友 originally means "two person who works together for the same goal or purpose". That is why it is explained by 《文解字》 as "同志为友", which is translated to English as: people who share the same 志 are 友. What does 志 mean? 志 means where your heart is. Details can be reviewed at https://xiongzou.blogspot.com/2016/08/learn-one-chinese-character-day_9.html .

Please note the subtle differences in the meaning of 友, comparing to 朋 in its original meaning.  But now 友 is always used as friend. For example 好友.

If 友 is used as verb, it means to make friends with. 友爱.

That is all for 友, time to enjoy Chinese calligraphy with 友 inside:

独山莫友芝书