Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 瑞 (ruì) originally depicted pieces of jade used as ceremonial tokens or symbols of good fortune. Its ancient form in Liushutong shows a combination of elements representing jade (玉) and an axe or ritual object, suggesting its connection to sacred ceremonies. Over time, the character evolved to mean 'auspicious' or 'propitious,' specifically referring to natural signs or omens that indicated divine favor. In modern usage, 瑞 maintains this meaning of 'good omen' or 'felicitous,' appearing in words like 瑞兆 (auspicious sign) and 祥瑞 (good fortune). Arrived in Japan: The character 瑞 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems, possibly through Buddhist texts and diplomatic exchanges. It was formally incorporated into the Japanese writing system during the Nara period (710-794 CE) when Japan systematically adopted Chinese characters, and it continues to be used in modern Japanese with the same meaning of 'congratulations' or 'good omen,' read as 'mizu' or 'zuì' in compound words.