The above is the bronze script form of the character “奋” (fèn).
Strictly speaking, I’m not creating something new—I’m simply writing it with a brush. This can be called Chinese calligraphy. Of course, since it is highly pictographic, calling it pictographic calligraphy is also perfectly appropriate.
This is a character well worth introducing to everyone.
It is composed of three parts: 衣 (clothing), 隹 (a small bird), and 田 (field).
衣: the top and the sides
隹: inside the “衣” — it represents a small bird
田: at the bottom
In ancient times, people used clothing to catch small birds in the fields. Once caught, they would cover the bird with the garment. The bird would struggle desperately, trying to fly away, but wrapped in the cloth, it could not take flight.
The ancients used the bird’s behavior in this situation to express the meaning of “奋”: desperation, helplessness, yet exerting all one’s strength and never giving up.
To keep striving in a desperate situation—that is “奋” （奮）.
This character perfectly illustrates the lyrics of “I Am a Little Bird” by Jonathan Lee（李宗盛）:
“I am just a little bird,
wanting to fly, yet unable to fly high.”
One could also say that Jonathan Lee’s lyrics perfectly capture the original meaning of the character “奋”（奮）.
The character “奋” （奮） moved me, and so did Jonathan Lee’s song. Bringing the two together felt completely natural.
