Abstract: Many predecessors have discussed the word "Wen", but the original meaning of "Wen" is still controversial. Through the
qualitative and quantitative investigation of oracle bone inscriptions, bronzes inscriptions and literature of the pre-Qin period, the
original meaning of "Wen" should be "reporting", and the meaning of "hearing" was an extended meaning. Since Tang Dynasty, "Wen"
has been bearing the meaning of "seeing". This paper sorts out the extended context of "Wen", draws an extended map, and explains
the evolution mechanism of the word meaning with the theory of cognitive linguistics. The extension of "Wen" has experienced the
process from active perception to passive perception, from associative passive perception to active perception. It connects the sense of
hearing, smelling and vision through the inner experience inspired by the perception of outside world.

Key words: Wen, reporting, meaning, evolution