Origin of this character: 體


The character, 體 (tai) which I think loosly means entity looks different than
the what I have noticed in other characters. In particular, the radical on the
left looks strange. I tried to find it on the internet, but I couldn't find
anything about the etymology. Does anyone else know?




The character of 體 (today 体 in 当用漢字) meaning the body is composed of the
characters of 骨 meaning human and creatures’ bones on the left side and 豊
meaning rich on the right side.

According to「常用字解」compiled by the great scholar, Chinese character / language
etymologist, 白川静 and published by 平凡社, the letter of 骨 features the shape of
the bones above the sternum with the fresh meat attached to as its origin
(p.211). The letter of 豊 features 豆 shaping a jar with high legs full of
millet, thus symbolizing abundance and fertility (p.585).

In ancient China, 體 meant the body of animal for an offer for sacrifice to the
Heavenly God, and later came to mean human body (p.415).




The character of 體 (today 体 in 当用漢字) meaning the body is composed of the
characters of 骨 meaning human and creatures’ bones on the left side and 豊
meaning rich on the right side.

According to「常用字解」compiled by the great scholar, Chinese character / language
etymologist, 白川静 and published by 平凡社, the letter of 骨 features the shape of
the bones above the sternum with the fresh meat attached to as its origin
(p.211). The letter of 豊 features 豆 shaping a jar with high legs full of
millet, thus symbolizing abundance and fertility (p.585).

In ancient China, 體 meant the body of animal for an offer for sacrifice to the
Heavenly God, and later came to mean human body (p.415).

