信念

The Chinese word 信念 (xìnniàn) is composed of two characters: 信 (xìn), meaning "trust" or "faith," and 念 (niàn), meaning "thought" or "idea." Together, these characters form the concept of "belief" or "conviction."The character 信 (xìn) has a long history in Chinese culture, dating back to the oracle bone script of the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE). In its earliest form, the character depicted a person holding a sacrificial vessel, symbolizing the act of making an offering to the gods. Over time, the character evolved to take on the meaning of "trust" or "faith," as it came to be associated with the idea of relying on something or someone for support or guidance.The character 念 (niàn) also has a rich history, dating back to the Warring States period (475-221 BCE). In its earliest form, the character depicted a person holding a scroll, symbolizing the act of reading or studying. Over time, the character evolved to take on the meaning of "thought" or "idea," as it came to be associated with the process of thinking and reflecting on something.When these two characters are combined to form 信念 (xìnniàn), they create a powerful concept that encompasses the idea of having a strong belief or conviction in something. It is a belief that is not easily swayed or changed, and it often forms the foundation of a person's values and actions.