A journey with Hanzi #4: One, two, three, let's go!

I want to share some interesting stories about Chinese characters 一 二 三.

Let's go!

• 一 one

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  In Chinese characters, the "一" character has the least variation of glyphs, and "一" is the first digit. It is obvious to use a horizontal bar to represent the basic unit.

  The word "一" plays a very important role in ancient Chinese culture. The beginning of all things is the source of everything.

  Huainanzi: "One, the essence of all things", thinks that one is the foundation of all kinds of things, which is also the embodiment of the Book of Changes.

oracle bone script, bronze script, clerical script, regular script

• 二 two

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  Oracle bone script "二" is two deer, then simplifies.

  

  oracle bone script, bronze script, clerical script, regular script

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• 三 there

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  “三” is a very basic character, and the original meaning is the number three.

  “三” also plays a very important role in ancient Chinese culture. The Chinese people want to reach the trinity of Heaven, Earth and Man which is collectively claimed to be three talents.

  Oracle bone script "三" is the parallel arrangement of the three bars.

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  Oracle bone script

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Thanks for reading!

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