The Discovery Of Genesis

Easy Lessons in “Character Building”
the left leg slightly angulated (as viewed from behind),
and the right one stretched out for walking. A third
symbol for man, person, or mankind is A, with both
legs spread apart, This last primitive has a second form
f , which is merely a lateral compression of A.
A simple horizontal stroke - can mean heaven,
or earth or one, depending upon its relative position.
The numeral one is written in the middle of a character
or radical; earth at the base; and heaven at the top.
The first three numerals are readily apparent: one-,
two r., and three 3. Ten is +. When one - man \
stands on the ground - , his ten j- toes are placed on
the earth &, and this symbol becomes the word dirt,
mud, dust, soil, clay. This brief introduction serves to
illustrate the truly pictorial aspect of the language as
depicted by the preceding primitive radicals.
The formation of more complex radicals or characters
by combining radicals is next demonstrated in
a simple way. By using the basic symbol A for man,
many new words were developed. Add to the man r,
radical a horizontal stroke, one -, so that it looks like
a man with arms outstretched, A, and the word become
an ideographic radical with the suggestion of being
great, big, tall, or in reference to man, noble, high in rank,
or full grown. When a man grows old, he uses a cane,
as if three-legged. The character then is written jk and
carries the superlative meaning of very, much, too, or
excessive.
When a man is grown and married, he is pictured
as having a second person with him. Literally he is
“two ; men A” and no longer single. A husband is
25
-
three