Ear Earrings through the Lens of the Chinese Etymology for ‘Intelligence’ (Newsletter No. 21)

(My mother’s idea, if you couldn’t tell)

All the forms of intelligence in the Chinese language have the root of ‘Cong 聰’ (which means intelligent or smart), which then has the ‘er 耳’ (which means ear) character root within it

 Because in the eyes (or rather, ears) of the Chinese, in order to possess any form of intellect you always need to listen carefully first. 

Cong Ming 聰明： Observational Intelligence

Cong Hui 聰慧  : Talent Intelligence

Cong Ying 聰潁  : Outstanding Intelligence 

Cong Min 聰敏  : Quick-Response Intelligence

Cong Rui 聰睿 ： Deep and Thorough Intelligence