自然
zìrán · HSK 3
nature
🌳 自 (self) + 然 (so/thus) = 'self-so', i.e. things as they are on their own
自 means self; 然 means 'so' or 'in that way'. Together: that which is so of itself — no human hand needed. Classical Daoist term that later came to label the natural world.
自 — pictograph of a nose
自 originally depicted a human nose, shown frontally with the bridge and nostrils. Ancient Chinese pointed to their own nose to mean 'me,' so 自 shifted to mean 'self' or 'oneself.' A new character 鼻 was later created to carry the original 'nose' meaning.