Name of レ点 in 漢文


In 漢文, why is the レ used for レ点? Is it purely a graphic representation of
returning to an earlier point in the text, or does レ stand for some word?




The レ点 means first read the next character (that is the character below since
it was written from top to bottom at that time) then read the previous
character.

Ex: 帰ル（レ点）国ニ should read 国に帰る.

Before, the レ点 was called [雁金点]{かりがねてん} because it looks like a goose which is
flying (雁{かり}が飛ぶ姿) [![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OsLCf.gif)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OsLCf.gif).
You can see that first the symbol is going down then going up. That means
first read one character below then go back and read the character above.
That's the whole purpose of the レ点.




The レ点 means first read the next character (that is the character below since
it was written from top to bottom at that time) then read the previous
character.

Ex: 帰ル（レ点）国ニ should read 国に帰る.

Before, the レ点 was called [雁金点]{かりがねてん} because it looks like a goose which is
flying (雁{かり}が飛ぶ姿) [![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OsLCf.gif)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OsLCf.gif).
You can see that first the symbol is going down then going up. That means
first read one character below then go back and read the character above.
That's the whole purpose of the レ点.

