Exploring the formation of the concept of Qíng情in the history of Chinese thought is a complex issue. This article traces the origin of the character Qīng青from the perspective of character evolution, based on philological research, and points out some possible origins for the concept of Qīng青. There are substantial differences of opinion on the relationship between Qīng青and Qíng情, and this article furthers the argument that Qīng青is the original character for Qíng情, speculating that Qīng青and Qíng情are simultaneously homologous and differentiated. The original meaning of the word Qīng青would have been a culture-word related to ancestral temple sacrificial offerings; and because of the sheng生component, the meaning of color and extended meanings such as "essence" and "sincere" evolved. Some of these meanings then became later connotations of the word Qíng情.