Learn one Chinese Character a day - 夫

In our last lesson, we have learnt "大", today we continue with "夫". You might have noticed that "夫" is to add a to top part of "大", what did Chinese ancestors want to express here?

Evolution history of "夫" might help us to know its meaning and the logic behind. (image get from http://www.vividict.com )

Learn one Chinese Character a day - 夫

Ancient Chinese believed that not cutting hair was one way of showing filial affection to their parents. In Chinese, it is written as 身体发肤，受之父母，不敢毁伤，孝之始也. Details on Filial Piety can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_piety . We will see many Chinese characters created with this philosophy and culture behind.

When a young man grows up, he will have to start tie-ing up his long hair. Below is a typical image of having hair tied up with a hairpin in ancient China.

Tie up hair with hairpin

When one's hair grows to such length, it means that young man is becoming an adult. So "夫" ( "大" with a Hairpin -  on top ) means Adult Man. And adult man can marry a wife, "夫" is then extended to mean Husband. As "夫" refers to male, it is also used to mean He.

Now let us enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with "夫" inside:

【陟】陞皇之赫戲兮，忽臨睨夫舊鄉。
僕夫悲余馬懷兮，蜷局顧而不行。