Challenge of the month - 东

东 and 束 (shù - to bind; bundle) came from the same source and share the same oracle bone inscription. The oracle bone inscription depicted a man's travelling bag; in ancient times people used a piece of fabric to wrap up their belongings and carried them on a wooden stick.

In the modern character, the wood component 木 (mù - wood) gives the meaning. The traditional character still retains some elements from the oracle bone inscription.