Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 兆 originally depicted cracks in turtle shells or animal bones used for divination in ancient China. These cracks were interpreted as omens or signs of future events. Over time, the character evolved from these crack patterns to its current form, retaining its core meaning of 'omen,' 'portent,' or 'sign.' It also came to represent the number 'trillion' (10^12) in modern usage, symbolizing an immense quantity. The character exemplifies how ancient divination practices influenced Chinese writing. Arrived in Japan: The character 兆 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) or early Kofun period (300-538 CE) through cultural exchange with China and Korea, likely as part of the introduction of Chinese writing systems that preceded the formal diplomatic missions of the 5th-6th centuries.