The middle of the lower part
The 《象形字典》（Pictography Dictionary) explains the character: the surrounding heart is character 欠，which original means that open mouth, breath out, or speak softly. So the meaning of the character is "To care from one's heart, to show love in a soft voice".
However, I disagree.
The top is a hand which wraps the heart gently to protect it.
Let's see its small script first
It is all similar to big seal script except there is another hand on the bottom, which is an upside-down 止 (foot), but here it means hand. So one hand on the top, another hand on the bottom to hold the heart.
Let's see its small script first
It is all similar to big seal script except there is another hand on the bottom, which is an upside-down 止 (foot), but here it means hand. So one hand on the top, another hand on the bottom to hold the heart.
Its clerical script is
The top part above the 心 is a hand, the bottom is foot: "To care with you hands, To follow the love where ever it goes".
愛
Its current standard printing script for simplified character
爱
The difference between the traditional and simplified characters above is that there is "心“ (heart) in traditional character but not in simplified character.
Many people feel if no Heart, then no Love. So it is a bad simplification.
Its Pinyin is "Ai4".
I created an artwork "愛 in Love".
Thank you for your hard work. This is also my daughter's name, which she loves a lot. I cannot wait to share with her tomorrow.
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