Amazing Chinese characters (418) History - 史

 The shell bone script of character History is

The top is character Middle or Center (Post 182), the right bottom is a hand. The character means that holding a flag of objective and truth high, which is the most important for dealing with history.

The character also is a title of official in ancient time, 御史 who is responsible to record the words of King, and the big events. In later time, there were more official titles with the character. All the officials are required to do things (= hand) and objective (= middle). 

The explanation of Dictionary of Pictography for this character is "A envoy or Ambassador who holds a flag-like passport to go foreign country to negotiate". But many people don't agree, neither I. I will discuss this topic when I discuss character 吏, and 使.

The bronze script of the character is

Similar to shell bone script.

The small seal script of the character is

The hand is right under the character Middle or Center.

The clerical script of the character is

The hand is simplified a little bit too much, difficult to see the hand.

The song typeface of the character is

史

Same as clerical script.

Its Pinyin is Shi3.