学 ｜ 學

学 is another good example that simplified Chinese character system simplifies too much that many of the characters lost their meaningful representation those characters should have.

Looking at the traditional version 學, we can kind of reasoning the scene it represents: a kid (子) is playing 爻 with his both hands (), probably on a table ()?

 

You might now have a vague idea what this character is. Before revealing the answer, let us examine its ancient scripts to see if there can be more information available: (image taken from：http://vividict.com)

Evolution history of 学

From its Oracle script, 学 is drawing of 爻 ( ) on a small table 几 (). 

Another Oracle script provides more information which shows two hands () playing / holding a 爻 (), inside a house ().  

 However both  and  is still quite vague in representing the concept 学 has. Thus Bronze script  added 子 () under the house (). Now the full concept is clear: (somebody) uses two hands () to show how 爻 works to a kid () sitting inside a house (). It is a teaching process with the kid learning how 爻 works.

From these scripts above, it does emphasize the teaching part of study during the learning process during those era. when it came to Regular script era, learning process in China might have changed to focus on try-error and self learning of the kids in the class, thus Regular Script emphasized the initiative of the students during the learning process, with its two hands changed to  (which are of the kid).

That is all, 学 | 學 has the meaning of learn or study. for example 学习.

When 学 | 學 is used as noun, it is to mean knowledge or experience or capability. for example 才疏学浅.

knowledge or experience can be built up to become a knowledge system or a (research) subject. for example 数学.

We have done our study of 学, time to enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 学 inside:

学海无涯