• 亲(tree; timber; intimate companion)
• 斤(axe; hatchet)

Using an axe to chop a freshly picked tree creates something completely new.

• 忄(heart; mind)
• 蒙(cover; dim)

A mind covered and obscured in darkness becomes muddled and lacks clarity.

• 十(ten)
• 口(mouth; speech)

Ten mouths passing word down through generations—that is something ancient.

• 方(flag; banner (tribal standard))
• 矢(arrow tip; arrowhead)

A tribe gathers under a flag, with hands gripping arrows ready for battle.

• 自(nose (pictographic) → self; body)

Ancient people pointed to their nose when saying "I," so the character for nose also means self.

• 氵(water; liquid)
• 台(platform; foundation)

A solid foundation is used to control the flow of water.

• 且(pile up; temporary)
• 厶(private; personal)

A district is a small administrative unit stacked beneath the province, like layers piled on top of each other.

• 亲(tree; timber; intimate companion)
• 斤(axe; hatchet)

Using an axe to chop a freshly picked tree creates something completely new.

• 忄(heart; mind)
• 蒙(cover; dim)

A mind covered and obscured in darkness becomes muddled and lacks clarity.

• 十(ten)
• 口(mouth; speech)

Ten mouths passing word down through generations—that is something ancient.

• 方(flag; banner (tribal standard))
• 矢(arrow tip; arrowhead)

A tribe gathers under a flag, with hands gripping arrows ready for battle.

• 自(nose (pictographic) → self; body)

Ancient people pointed to their nose when saying "I," so the character for nose also means self.

• 氵(water; liquid)
• 台(platform; foundation)

A solid foundation is used to control the flow of water.

• 且(pile up; temporary)
• 厶(private; personal)

A district is a small administrative unit stacked beneath the province, like layers piled on top of each other.