Learn one Chinese Character a day - "化"

We have learnt "人" and some of the 会意字, created with "人", (会意 - huìyì: Logical aggregates, in which two or more parts are used for their meaning. This yields a composite meaning, which is then applied to the new character.) which are "从", "比", "北". Today we check for "化". Let us look at its evolution history first - (image get from http://www.vividict.com)

Learn one Chinese Character a day - "化"

"化" in Oracle scriptis composed of  ( A man walking upright to one direction ) and  (A man headstand walking to opposite direction). Chinese ancestors thought the biggest change is that a man's behaviors are completely reversed. And thus  means Change. And it is then extended to mean Transform as well.
Bronze script, Seal script are still close variation of Oracle script . While Clerical scriptis greatly simplified to be close to what we are using now - "化".

To end today's learning, as usual we enjoy a Chinese calligraphy art with "化" inside:

造化钟神秀，阴阳割昏晓。......  会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。

Above poem is describing one of five greatest mountains in China. Below is one of its pictures.

会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。