Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 番 originally depicted an animal's paw or footprint, with the upper part representing claws and the lower part representing the foot. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to alternate,' 'to take turns,' or 'a number in sequence.' In ancient China, it was used for counting and tracking, as in keeping tally of animals or rotations. The modern meaning extends to 'number in a series,' 'watch or guard duty,' and is used in words like 番号 (number) and 交番 (police box). Arrived in Japan: The character 番 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the introduction of Chinese writing systems, possibly through Buddhist texts and diplomatic exchanges. It appears in early Japanese documents like the Manyōshū (8th century) and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system during the Nara period.