The kanji character "古" primarily conveys the meaning of "old," "ancient," or "former." It signifies something that has existed for a long time, has a long history, or is not new. This can apply to objects, places, times, or concepts. It suggests a sense of age, experience, and the passage of time.

・On-yomi (音読み): コ (ko) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): ふる(い) (furui)

⚫︎古代 (kodai) Translation: Ancient times; antiquity. ⚫︎中古 (chūko) Translation: 中古 (chūko) means "second-hand" or "used." This word uses "古" to indicate something that has been used before, hence "old". ⚫︎古都 (koto) Translation: Ancient capital.

The kanji "古" is a pictograph. It depicts a combination of elements, although the exact origin is debated. The top part represents the mouth or a container, while the bottom part represents the earth. The combination suggests something that is preserved in the earth for a long time or an artifact of the past. Over time, the form of the character has evolved to its current shape, but it still retains the essential idea of age and history.