Chinese Character for cluster (集) shows birds flocking on a tree
Chinese character for cluster (集 pronounces as zaap6) originally was a drawing, which shows birds are flocking on a tree.
Chinese character for Cluster has an origin, a drawing showing cute birds flocking on a tree
Frank the tour guide is going to analyze the character “集” and show its changes.
Sparrows flocking on a tree
Like birds, people like social gatherings.
However, under the Covid-19 pandemic, people’s close contact during social gatherings may cause the Covid-19 clusters, e.g. Hong Kong’s dance cluster and hotpot cluster.
People should only have social gatherings again after taking vaccinations and the end of pandemic.
Hong Kong SAR Government reminds the public, don’t gather!
Frank hopes he can share interesting stories of Chinese characters with clients during his Hong Kong private tour again after the return of normality!
The origin of Chinese character for cluster (集)was a drawing showing cute birds flocking on a tree
Chinese created Chinese characters through observation and imagination in the past.
The ancient Chinese saw the little cute birds clustered together on a tree for security, preening, warmth and rest.
Japanese White Eyes Birds flocking on a tree
They drew a picture to record the interesting scene.
Later the picture became the oracle bone inscription for the meaning of cluster and gathering.
Chinese character for cluster. The top is the character Chinese use today. The one below is the interesting oracle bone inscription of the past.
Initially that oracle bone inscription had only one bird on the tree!
You may think that it cannot show the meaning of “birds” gather together on the tree.
Some ancient Chinese did share your feeling and they added two more birds to the character when they wrote the character in the Small Seal Script.
Chinese character for Cluster with more birds. The left one is a rare character for today. The right one is the old character in Small Seal Script of the past.
At last people standardized the character by keeping only one lucky bird and deleting another two poor birds for convenience.
Although the character with three birds is kept, it is just a rare character today.
Two Chinese characters for cluster. The left one is the common one. The right and the more complex one is a very rare character today.
The story of “集” shows Chinese characters are ever-changing.
Easy to use is one of the main reasons behind those changes.
Gather together or do private tour again only after Covid-19 pandemic
People like sharing their happiness at social gatherings, birthday party, family reunion dinner etc.
However social gatherings can cause Covid-19 clusters easily under the pandemic.
People should avoid crowds under Covid-19 pandemic.
In Hong Kong there were the hotpot cluster, dance cluster, bar cluster, worship cluster etc.
Therefore people should avoid gathering now to prevent the spread of virus.
People can only have gatherings again after taking Covid-19 vaccinations and the end of pandemic.
Frank the tour guide hopes he can show clients the interesting stories of Chinese characters in his Hong Kong private tour again when Covid-19 dies down.
Frank the tour guide’s Birdie Emerald is eating cherry. Frank just keeps one bird at home. Although Birdie Emerald cannot lean on other bird, it still lean on the food container when it sleeps.
See amazing view of Victoria Harbor at Victoria Peak during our half day private car tour.
Visit beautiful Nan Lian Garden during Hong Kong Kowloon full day private car tour.
Visit the World heritage building, St Paul’s Ruins, during our full day Macau private car tour.
For further questions, please contact Frank
