Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 養 (yǎng) originally depicted a person (羊) tending to sheep, representing the concept of 'raising' or 'nourishing.' Over time, it evolved to combine 羊 (sheep/lamb) with 食 (food/eating), symbolizing the act of providing sustenance and care. In ancient China, this character embodied the Confucian virtue of filial piety - children's duty to nourish and care for their parents. The character's meaning expanded to include cultivation, education, and maintenance, reflecting how nurturing extends beyond physical sustenance to intellectual and spiritual growth. Arrived in Japan: The character 養 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, primarily through the introduction of Chinese writing systems and Buddhist texts. It was formally adopted into the Japanese writing system and appears in early Japanese documents like the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE). The character maintains similar meanings in Japanese - 'yō' meaning to rear, raise, or foster - and is used in compounds like 養子 (yōshi, adopted child) and 養育 (yōiku, upbringing).