象形

xiàngxíng

Draw the object, follow its form - Characters that directly depict the shape of things, the oldest type of Chinese characters

Examples

日

rì

Sun

Outline of the sun

Stroke order

月

yuè

Moon

Shape of a crescent moon (because the moon is often incomplete)

Stroke order

人

rén

Person

A person standing sideways

Stroke order

手

shǒu

Hand

The shape of an open hand with five visible fingers

Stroke order

木

mù

Tree/Wood

The shape of a tree with roots, trunk, and branches

Stroke order

刀

dāo

Knife

The side profile of a knife with handle and blade

Stroke order