Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 孔 originally depicted a nursing infant, symbolizing something small and precious. Over time, it evolved to mean 'opening,' 'hole,' or 'aperture,' and also took on the meaning of 'very' or 'great' in classical Chinese. The modern form consists of 子 (child) and 乚 (a bent hook or thread), suggesting something delicate and intricate. This character appears in the name of Confucius (孔子), where it carries the meaning of 'master' or 'great sage.' Arrived in Japan: The character 孔 arrived in Japan during the early cultural exchanges with China, likely between the 5th and 7th centuries CE, when Chinese writing and Confucian classics were introduced to Japan through Korean scholars and diplomatic missions.