现在

Why does 现在 look like this?

'现' (xiàn) features the 'Jade' radical (王) on the left, which often relates to things appearing or being seen, and 'see' (见) on the right. Together, they suggest something 'becoming visible' or 'present' right now. '在' (zài) depicts a hand over a clod of earth, symbolizing being located somewhere or existing in a state. Combined, they mean 'existing right at this moment'!