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+--- Thread: The origin of 人 (/thread-11.html)
The origin of 人 - wrightak - 2006-06-15
I thought I would get this forum area started by sharing something that my Japanese friend told me. The character 人 is sometimes taken as a pictograph of a man walking where you're looking side on. The bottom of both strokes representing the legs.
However, the accepted theory is that only one of the strokes represents the legs in any way and the other actually represents the arms. Think of a labourer carrying something heavy on his back and stooping with his arms hanging down. You can certainly see this image more clearly with the primitive form that appears on the left handside. However with the primitive, I would assume that the first stroke represents the back. I guess these things are always open to debate.
The origin of 人 - bodhisamaya - 2011-04-27
What a ridiculous notion. Everyone knows man came from the Vagina. Though, because we live in a patriarchal society, that V was turned upside down into a phallic symbol.
The origin of 人 - Asriel - 2011-04-27
I read something one time that said it was like...2 people leaning on each other in a state of interdependence -- like marriage. So you don't become a full "person" until you find your mate. Kind of 1+1 != 2, but 1+1 = 1 kind of thing.
It wasn't trying to be an actual history for it, but a cute little story
btw: bodhisamaya -- a reply-less thread from 2006? What?
The origin of 人 - kitakitsune - 2011-04-27
人 is a side-view of a person leaning over holding their arms out front in a submissive position.
In the most ancient forms of this character you can clearly see the human shape.
As seen here - http://bbs.jinruisi.net/blog/kanji1.gif
or here - http://ameblo.jp/takahashi-masami/theme-10017137708.html
The origin of 人 - bodhisamaya - 2011-04-27
Asriel Wrote:btw: bodhisamaya -- a reply-less thread from 2006? What?It seems to have been the first post on this forum, yet never got a response.
The origin of 人 - mezbup - 2011-04-27
biggest thread necro of all time.
The origin of 人 - kainzero - 2011-04-27
bodhisamaya Wrote:What a ridiculous notion. Everyone knows man came from the Vagina. Though, because we live in a patriarchal society, that V was turned upside down into a phallic symbol.did you just finish reading the da vinci code?
The origin of 人 - kitakitsune - 2011-04-27
ur mom read the davinci code
The origin of 人 - Tzadeck - 2011-04-27
bodhisamaya Wrote:It seems to have been the first post on this forum, yet never got a response.And it finally did, just to talk about vagina. Sounds like a noble cause to me.
The origin of 人 - zachandhobbes - 2011-04-28
I'm part of the "Every Post Deserves a Response" fan club and we formally commend Bodhi for his community service action.
The origin of 人 - cntrational - 2011-04-28
That made me laugh.
My font has the 人 that's more like a Y, though!