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The Shwok Wan, or Etymologicon.
APRIL,
and hiá, given as examples, the meaning of which we can ascertain by inspection, their import being apparent on examination.
(b.) Imitations, such as jih, yuch, BЯ, sun, moon: literally image form siáng hing, i. e. such characters as jih and yuck, the two above given as examples, in which an image or likeness of the object signified is delineated, by making the form of the character an exact imitation of the thing.
(c.) Phonetics such as kiáng, ho, I, river, stream: literally, form sound, hing shing, i. e. such compound characters as the two above, kiáng and ho, one part of which is taken to be named, and this is joined to another which gives the new character its sound, (d.) Ideographics, such as wú, sin, martial, faith: literally. united meaning, huui i, i. e. such compound characters as wú and sin, where two well known characters are joined so as to sug- gest the idea to be given to the new word.
(e.) Reversives, such as k ́áu, láu,✯✯ aged, old: literally, turned explanation chuen chú, i. e. such characters as káu, láu, in which, while the upper part remains the same, the lower is reversed or turned.
(f.) Derivatives, such as ling, cháng 4
order, elder : literally,
suppose borrow, kia tsié, i. e. such characters as ling and cháng, which are borrowed to denote things or acts that had previously never been indicated in writing; the character thus borrowed retains its original sound but takes a new meaning.
7. In the reign of the Emperor Siuen of the Chau dynasty, his his- toriographer Sz'chau invented the chuen or seal character, and wrote a work thereon in fifteen chapters; some of these new characters were the same as the ancient, others were different.
8. Subsequently, when Confucius wrote the six classics and Tsú Kiúming compiled the annals called Spring and Autumn, both used the ancient character. Its meaning, therefore, could at that time be understood and explained.
9. At a later period the several princes of the empire, having strengthened their respective governments, refused submission to the imperial sway. Hating the restraints that were laid upon them by the ceremonial and musical codes, they destroyed all these standards; and separating themselves from the supreme government, formed seven independent states, all differing in the modes of laying out their lands, in the construction of their carriages, in the execution of their laws, in the fashion of their robes and caps, in the sounds of their words, in the forms of their speech, and in the shape of their written characters.