Learn one Chinese Character a day - "比"

When we went through the meaning of "从", we have seen the Oracle script writing of "比".

Below is the evolution history of "比": (image get from http://www.vividict.com)

Learn one Chinese Character a day - "比"

as you can see that "比" in Oracle script is  , which is opposite to "从" in Oracle script .
 is also composed of two persons one behind another one. however since it is opposite to the way of writing for , it is then no longer to mean follow or fellowship, it is to represent the meaning that behind the other  wants to Compare, instead of following here.
It also demonstrates the philosophy of Chinese ancestors when they create this character that only people, who are about equal to each other, want to compare with each other. Nobody of us will compare with Bill Gates for wealth in money and get envied for that, right? we normally compare against our friends, colleagues,  neighbourhoods and classmates.

when this character evolved to Official script , has been changed to , which is the way we are writing now.

So "比" means Compare.

To end today's learning, let us enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with "比" inside:

Learn one Chinese Character a day - "比"

Our next lesson will continue with character with related to "人", which is “北”, its Oracle writing is  . Guess its meaning?