Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 麗 (meaning 'beautiful', 'graceful', or 'attached') evolved from a pictograph depicting two deer standing side by side, emphasizing their beautiful, symmetrical antiers. In ancient bronze script forms found in Liushutong, the character clearly shows two deer with elaborate antlers. Over time, the composition simplified while retaining the symmetrical beauty of the original concept. The character came to represent beauty, elegance, and things that come in pairs or are attached to one another. In modern usage, it carries meanings of loveliness, brilliance, and being joined together. Arrived in Japan: The character 麗 was likely introduced to Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader adoption of Chinese writing systems. It appears in early Japanese texts like the Manyoshu (8th century) and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji character, retaining its meanings of beauty and elegance while also being used in words like 'kirei' (beautiful) and place names.