Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 火 (huǒ) originally depicted the shape of rising flames, with the earliest oracle bone script showing a stylized representation of fire with flickering tongues. In Liushutong, L17040 shows a classical seal script form that clearly evolves into the modern 火. The character means 'fire' and represents one of the fundamental elements in Chinese philosophy. Over time, the character simplified while maintaining its essential flame-like structure, with the two dots on either side representing sparks or flickering flames. Arrived in Japan: The character 火 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange. It was incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji, pronounced 'hi' or 'ka' in Japanese, and became one of the fundamental characters in Japanese literacy.