Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 鳥 (bird) evolved from a highly pictographic representation in oracle bone script showing a bird with a crested head, beak, wings, tail, and feet. Over centuries, the depiction simplified through bronze script and seal script, eventually standardizing in clerical script to the modern form. The character exemplifies Chinese writing's evolution from concrete pictures to abstract symbols while retaining its core meaning of 'bird'. Arrived in Japan: The character 鳥 arrived in Japan around the 5th century CE, during the period when Chinese writing was systematically introduced to Japan through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange. It was incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji, retaining its meaning 'bird' and readings (such as ちょう in on'yomi and とり in kun'yomi).