电影

Why does 电影 look like this?

电 (diàn): Originally depicted lightning. Now it means 'electricity.' It combines the sun/day (日) with a tail showing energy flowing down. 影 (yǐng): Combines 景 (scenery/bright) with 彡 (rays of light or ornate patterns). It represents a 'shadow' or 'reflection' cast by light. Together, 'Electric Shadow' is the beautiful way Chinese describes a movie!