Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 仲 evolved from ancient pictographs representing 'middle' or 'between.' In its Liushutong form (L18955), it shows the radical 人 (person) combined with 中 (middle), depicting a person standing in the center - symbolizing mediation or relationship. Over time, it came to mean 'middle,' 'intermediate,' or 'relationship between people,' reflecting its use in terms like 仲間 (companion) and 仲良し (good friends), where it represents harmonious interpersonal connections. Arrived in Japan: The character 仲 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems, possibly through Buddhist texts and diplomatic exchanges. It became established in Japanese writing during the Nara period (710-794 CE) when Chinese characters were systematically adopted and adapted for the Japanese language.