Lada, a Russian friend learning Chinese in Henan, recently shared her fondness for the Chinese character "家" (jia), which means "home" or "family." She finds this character particularly interesting because of its unique structure and the way its components come together.
She shared that the upper part of the character "家" resembles a roof, symbolizing a place that provides shelter and protection, while the bottom part is "豕" (pig), which in ancient times symbolized a prosperous family, as those who raised pigs typically had better living conditions. Together, these two elements form the character "家"—a place that offers both shelter and comfort.
In addition, Lada also mentioned the saying "家和万事兴" (A harmonious family brings prosperity in all things), which reflects the Chinese emphasis on family harmony. In Chinese culture, family harmony is seen as the foundation for the development of individuals, society, and even the country. Only when every family is happy and harmonious can society be stable and the country prosper. Lada also expressed that she agrees with this viewpoint, believing that family plays an extremely important role in life. (Zhang Yahan)
