Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 栄 evolved from ancient pictographs representing a building with flames or light radiating from the roof, symbolizing brilliance and glory. In its Liushutong forms, it often showed variations of this radiant structure concept. The modern Japanese simplification 栄 retains the core meaning of 'prosperity,' 'flourish,' 'honor,' and 'glory' that has been consistent throughout its evolution from ancient Chinese forms. Arrived in Japan: The character likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems, either directly from China or via the Korean peninsula. It was incorporated into the Japanese writing system and appears in early Japanese texts like the Manyoshu (8th century).