Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 点 (点) originates from the traditional character 點, which is composed of 黑 (black) and 占 (to divine). The original meaning was a small black spot or mark, like a speck of soot. Over time, it evolved to signify a dot, a point, or a small mark in writing. In modern usage, it has extended meanings such as 'to light' (as in lighting a fire), 'to order' (as in ordering food), and 'o'clock' (a point in time), reflecting its conceptual expansion from a physical mark to abstract points and moments. Arrived in Japan: The character 点, along with many other kanji, was introduced to Japan during the early centuries CE, primarily through cultural exchange with China, such as via the Korean Peninsula. It is believed to have been systematically adopted by the 5th to 7th centuries as part of the broader importation of Chinese writing and culture.