華

華 was originally a pictograph, depicting a single flower with leaves, stem, and petals.

In small seal script (小篆), the 艹 (grass radical) was added on top, giving the form closer to the modern character.

It is closely related to 花 (hwa, “flower”), with which it shares both meaning and pronunciation. The two are cognate characters.

After the Han dynasty, the characters diverged:

花 came to be used primarily as the noun “flower.”

華 took on the meanings of “to blossom” (verb) and “splendid, ornate” (adjective).

The distinction was originally supported by phonological differences in Middle Chinese:

花 had an initial consonant in the 曉 (x~h) series.

華 had an initial consonant in the 匣 (ɣ~ɦ) series.

In most modern Chinese dialects, this contrast has disappeared, and tone differences now distinguish them.

It is also used in cultural and national designations such as 華僑 (화교, overseas Chinese) and 中華民國 (중화민국, Republic of China, Taiwan). By extension, 中華 (중화) is a self-designation of the Chinese people and civilization, reflecting the ancient pride of the Central Plains in their “brilliant and splendid” culture.

In modern Korean, 화 (華) appears in many compounds denoting splendor, magnificence, or reference to China:

화려 (華麗) – splendor, magnificence

중화 (中華) – “China,” “Chinese civilization”

화교 (華僑) – overseas Chinese

화단 (華壇) – flower bed; also figuratively, literary/artistic circles

화미 (華美) – splendid, beautiful

Korea: writes the upper 艹 disjointed and the middle 艹 connected → 11 strokes.

Japan and Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong/Taiwan): upper and middle 艹 connected → 10 strokes.

Taiwan (alternate style): both the upper and middle 艹 disjointed → 12 strokes.