ān

peace · safe · calm

HSK 1

Evolution

安 in oracle script
Oracle Bone · ~1200 BCE
安 in bronze script
Bronze · ~800 BCE
安 in seal script
Seal Script · ~200 BCE
安 in liushutong script
Liushūtong · ~1600 CE
Modern
folk etymology

A woman (女) under a roof (宀). Ancient China's definition of peace: women staying home. The oracle bone form shows it clearly — a kneeling figure beneath a shelter.

Components

宀 ancient form
roof
女 ancient form
woman

Related Characters

Further Reading

25 Characters With Wild EtymologiesGuide

Appears in Stories