Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 虫 (chóng) originally depicted a snake in ancient oracle bone script, showing a triangular head and蜿蜒 body. In bronze inscriptions, it became more stylized. During the seal script period, it evolved into its current form. 虫 originally meant 'snake' or 'reptile,' but its meaning expanded to include all insects and small creatures. In modern Chinese, it's used in words like 昆虫 (insects) and 虫子 (bug). Interestingly, three 虫 characters combined form 蟲, which was the traditional form for 'insect' before simplification. Arrived in Japan: The character 虫 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) through cultural exchange with China, but became systematically established during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) when Japan formally adopted Chinese writing systems along with Buddhism and other cultural elements.