Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 雌 (female) evolved from ancient pictographs showing a female bird. In oracle bone script, it often depicted a bird with a marking indicating femininity. The modern form combines 隹 (short-tailed bird) with 此 (this) as a phonetic component. Throughout Chinese history, 雌 has consistently meant 'female' or 'feminine,' particularly used for female birds and animals, extending metaphorically to describe anything with feminine characteristics or the passive principle in yin-yang philosophy. Arrived in Japan: The character 雌 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) through cultural exchange with China, but became systematically established as part of the writing system during the Asuka period (6th-7th century CE) when Japan officially adopted Chinese characters along with Buddhism and other elements of Chinese culture.