Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 泉 (quán in Chinese, izumi in Japanese) originally depicted water flowing from a spring or fountain. In its earliest oracle bone script forms, it showed water emerging from a crevice in rocks. The character evolved through bronze script and seal script periods, gradually simplifying into its modern form while retaining the essential meaning of 'spring' or 'fountain' as a source of water. The top part represents the opening, while the bottom part symbolizes flowing water. This character is also used metaphorically for 'source' or 'origin' in compound words. Arrived in Japan: The character 泉 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system (kanji) through cultural exchange with China and Korea, particularly during the Asuka period when Buddhism and Chinese literacy were systematically imported.