Chinese characters are the social contract of the East - '共' (gòng) is two hands sharing a pot of food, '平' (píng) is a stable balance, and '和' (hé) is wheat bending towards a smiling mouth (禾+口). With these three characters, using the simplest strokes, the Chinese people's millennium-old imagination of a fair society is vividly portrayed.
共(gòng)
Explanation
- A pot (or some other object) in the center with a hand reaching towards it from either side shows two people sharing. This word is very common in Chinese.
Example
- They work together.
他们共同工作。
tā men gòng tóng gōng zuò. - This park is open to all.
这个公园是公共的。
zhè ge gōng yuán shì gōng gòng de.
Find and circle "共" in the picture
平(píng)
Explanation
- "平" means steady, it does not shake or tip over. Therefore, the character looks like a scale, symmetrical and standard. The modern character is actually even more "balanced" and "level" than the ancient version. Adding “a woman in a house" forms “平安,” meaning safe and sound; the phrase is often also used as a greeting.
Example
- Everyone should be treated fairly.
人人应当得到公平对待。
rén rén yīng dāng dé dào gōng píng duì dài. - Life is calm and peaceful here.
这里的生活很平静。
zhè lǐ de shēng huó hěn píng jìng.
Find and circle "平" in the picture
和(hé)
Explanation
- The grain is ready to be harvested and the wheat plant dips. Next to it is a mouth because there is food to eat! This word is often used in combination. For example, “和平”means peace, while “和好”means "to make peace between people."
Example
- I go with you.
我和你一起去。
wǒ hé nǐ yì qǐ qù. - Grandma is mixing dough.
奶奶在和面。
nǎi nai zài huó miàn.
Find and circle "和" in the picture
Now you have deciphered this set of civilized codes: from the warmth of '共' sharing, the justice of '平' balance, to the harvest of '和' harmony - when they meet, they form humanity's most cherished desire: peace (和平).