Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 宴 originally depicted a woman (女) under a roof (宀), symbolizing peace and comfort indoors. Over time, it evolved to mean 'banquet' or 'feast,' reflecting gatherings where people enjoy food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere. The modern form maintains the roof radical (宀) over the components representing the sun (日) and woman (女), though the original pictographic elements have become more abstract. Arrived in Japan: The character 宴 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system (kanji) through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange with China and Korea.