Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 鎖 (lock, chain) evolved from ancient pictographs depicting metal objects linked together. The character consists of 金 (metal) as the semantic component, indicating its metallic nature, and 䇔 as the phonetic component. Originally representing metal chains and fetters, its meaning expanded to include locks, chains, and the concept of linking or connecting objects together. In both Chinese and Japanese, it carries meanings related to restraint, connection, and security. Arrived in Japan: The character 鎖 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems and cultural exchange. It was formally adopted into the Japanese writing system and appears in early Japanese texts from the Nara period (710-794 CE) onward, becoming part of the standard kanji repertoire used in Japan.