Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 隼 depicts a bird of prey, originally showing a falcon or hawk perched on a stand. In ancient oracle bone script, it combined 十 (ten/complete) representing the bird's markings with 鳥 (bird). Over time, it evolved through bronze script and seal script forms before standardizing into the modern 隼, which combines 隹 (short-tailed bird) with 十. The character has consistently meant 'falcon' or 'hawk' throughout Chinese history, representing speed, precision, and hunting prowess. Arrived in Japan: The character 隼 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) or early Kofun period (300-538 CE) through cultural exchange with China and Korea, likely as part of the introduction of Chinese writing systems. It appears in early Japanese texts like the Man'yōshū (8th century) and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system during the systematic adoption of Chinese characters.