The word "乐" (Picture A, see the 3728th piece of the "Oracle Bone Collection Newly Acquired from Beijing and Tianjin after the War") is a pictographic and meaningful character. The lower part is the wooden structure of the string itself (Picture A1), and the upper part is It is a string made of silk (Figure A2), indicating that its original meaning is a stringed instrument. Because music makes people happy and happy, the word "yuè" was later changed to "乐(lè)" which means joy.
Figure B (see "Le Ding") is the word "乐" in the bronze inscriptions of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The structure of the music stand has changed from the shape of Figure A1 to the shape of Figure B1. After the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the word "乐" developed into Figure C, and an additional drum was added between the two silk strings (Figure C1), blending percussion and string music together.
Picture C1 is "白 (bò)", which is used as the phonetic symbol of the word "乐", making the word "乐" into a phonetic character. The word "乐" in Xiaozhuan (Picture D, see "Shuowen Jiezi"), the word "乐" in official script (Picture E, see "The Monument of Hao Taiwang") and the word "乐" in regular script (Picture F ) are all derived from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty bronze inscriptions (Picture C) with the word "乐".
In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the word "乐" (乐) appeared in calligraphy master Wang Xizhicao (Picture G). Then, after the Six Dynasties, the folk word "乐" (Picture H) appeared in cursive script and regular script. It became the simplified word "乐" used today. Extended information
Explanation of "Le" in ancient books
Shuowenjiezi
Sixth Wood Section
Le, five tones and eight tones General name. Like a drum. Wood, Yaye. Jade horn cut. ?[9]?
Shuowen Jiezi Note
Juan Liu Mu Bu
Le, the general name of the five tones and eight tones.
Note: "Le Ji" says: It moves when it is sensed by things, so it takes shape from sound. The sound corresponds, so changes occur. When it becomes square, it is called sound. Compare the music and enjoy it. And Qian Qi Yuyuan called it joy. "Yinxia" says: Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng, Yu are the sound; silk, bamboo, gold, stone, gourd, soil, leather and wood are the sound. The extension of joy is the joy of "sadness".
Like a drum and a spear.
Note: 鞞, as ?, was modified by the common people. Xianggu?, that is? also. The drum is large or small, the middle resembles a drum, and the two sides resemble drums. There are many musical instruments, but the only one like this is the drummer, the sound of the equinox. "Book of Changes" says: "Thunder came out of the earth to stir up Yu, and the kings of the past used it to enjoy music and worship virtue." This is what it means.
Wood.
Note: It means Congmu. also.
Note: Yubu said: "?, the bell and drum are also used."
The five corners are cut.
Note: The ancient music is in the second part.