Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 右 originally depicted a right hand (又) positioned over the mouth (口), representing the concept of 'right side' and 'assistance.' In ancient China, the right hand was considered the helping hand, which is why 右 carries meanings of both direction (right) and aid (to assist). Over time, the character evolved from a more pictorial representation of a hand above a mouth to the modern standardized form 右, maintaining its core semantic elements while becoming more stylized. Arrived in Japan: The character 右 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, introduced alongside other Chinese characters through cultural exchange with Korea and China, primarily via Buddhist texts and diplomatic missions during the Asuka period.