苗

seedling (esp. rice)

Kanji 1740

Find out about the literal side of 苗 (e.g., all that happens before rice seedlings go into paddies) and the figurative aspects of 苗 (e.g., when the "seedlings" of a culture bear delicious fruits). See how seedlings played key roles in "The Mutiny on the Bounty" and in one Nobel Peace Prize winner's work. Also discover why 苗 can mean "Hmong" and how it relates to smallpox.

Revision history:

Feb. 16, 2022: 

• p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears link.
• p. 8: Deleted a comment about Henshall’s etymology of 苗, as his new edition doesn’t include that idea.
• p. 13: Updated what I said about Henshall’s etymology of 猫.
• p. 15: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Nov. 13, 2015: Originally published.