Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 告 (gào) originates from oracle bone script, depicting an ox's mouth (口) with something emerging from it, symbolizing 'to announce' or 'to tell.' It evolved from the idea of offering a solemn statement, as in reporting to the gods or superiors. Over time, it simplified into its modern form, retaining the elements of 牛 (ox) and 口 (mouth), and now means 'to inform,' 'to declare,' or 'to announce' in Chinese. Arrived in Japan: The character 告 arrived in Japan during the early centuries CE, likely between the 5th and 6th centuries, as part of the introduction of Chinese writing and culture through Korean Peninsula contacts. It was adopted into Japanese as 'koku' or 'tsugu,' meaning 'to announce' or 'to tell,' and integrated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji.