Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 育 originally depicted a woman giving birth to a child (the top component 亠 or 𠫓 represents an inverted 'child' 子, and the bottom 肉 represents the mother's body). In ancient oracle bone script, it showed a woman with a newborn. Over time, it evolved through bronze script and seal script to its current form. The character carries the core meaning of 'to bear, to raise, to educate' - reflecting the progression from physical birth to nurturing and teaching. This evolution mirrors how human development encompasses both biological growth and cultural education. Arrived in Japan: The character 育 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system (kanji) through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange with China and Korea. It was formally systematized in Japan's writing system during the Nara period (710-794 CE) when the Japanese government established educational institutions and began compiling character dictionaries.