长
cháng · HSK 2
long
📏 cháng = long; pictograph of long flowing hair on a person
Originally drew a person with long, streaming hair held by a hairpin — the oldest meaning is length. Same character read zhǎng means to grow or elder, since hair grows long over time.
长 — pictograph of long-haired person with cane
Originally a pictograph showing a person with long, flowing hair leaning on a cane, representing an elder. The meaning extended from 'long hair' to 'long' in general, and also to 'elder' or 'to grow' (read zhǎng). The modern form 长 is a simplification of the traditional 長.