收Write it with a brush

Origin of the character

The character 收 is modeled on 又 (the right hand) together with the form of holding a whip or rod above it to draw and gather something together. In oracle-bone and bronze inscriptions, this image of hand and tool is clearly visible, depicting the act of gathering small objects into one place or bringing them in. By the small seal script it had been standardized into a shape close to its present form, developing the meanings "to gather," "to collect," and "to receive."

How it is built

又 (right hand) + 𠬝 (rod, a gathering tool)

收 combines 又, meaning "right hand," with a part denoting the motion of gathering — picturing a person using the hand to bring in grain or goods. Among other characters containing 又, one may compare 友 ("friend"), which shows two hands clasped together to express friendship, and 取 ("to take"), which shows a hand seizing an ear to convey "taking." In this way, 又 imparts the sense of various hand-related actions.

In its line

Harvest in autumn, store in winter.

Line 6 of 250 in the Thousand Character Classic.

Words with this character

• 수수방관袖手傍觀

  Literally "hands tucked in sleeves, watching from the side," this phrase means to merely look on without intervening or stepping forward in some matter. It depicts an attitude of withdrawing one's hand rather than acting to solve a problem.

• 수렴청정垂簾聽政

  This refers to a queen dowager or grand dowager governing on behalf of a young monarch from behind a lowered bamboo screen. It is an idiom for the act of taking up and exercising real political power.

After writing

Confucianism emphasizes cultivating benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom (仁義禮智) so as to "gather in" and perfect inner virtue. The noble person reins in and disciplines the self to pursue the right way; as Confucius said, "to subdue the self and return to propriety is benevolence" (克己復禮為仁), placing importance on gathering in private desires and returning to ritual propriety.Confucianism

As you drew each stroke slowly, did a moment from today come to mind?