下

An ideograph:

Early forms show a long horizontal stroke (一, the ground) with a shorter stroke or dot placed beneath, signifying “something lower, below the line.”

Over time, this evolved into the modern 下 shape. It is the counterpart of 上 (“above”), with the short stroke positioned beneath instead of above.

Semantic range:

- below, under (아래, 밑);

- to descend, to go down, to lower (내리다, 내려가다);

- the following, the next (다음);

- subordinate, inferior, lower rank (아랫사람, 신하);

- as an honorific suffix (閣下, 殿下, 陛下).

閣下 (각하) — Your Excellency

落下 (낙하) — fall, drop

廊下 (낭하/랑하) — corridor, hallway

低下 (저하) — decline, decrease

殿下 (전하) — His/Her Highness

地下 (지하) — underground, basement

天下 (천하) — the world, “all under heaven”

陛下 (폐하) — His/Her Majesty

下部 (하부) — lower part

下水 (하수) — sewage, drainage

In Chinese political philosophy, 下 often symbolizes subjects or the people in contrast to 上, the ruler. Phrases like 上下 describe the hierarchical order of society and cosmos: Heaven above, Earth below; ruler above, subjects below.

In Daoist texts, 下 has positive connotations of humility, aligning with water’s nature to flow downward and benefit all without contention (cf. Dao De Jing ch. 8). Thus “to be low” is to be virtuous, receptive, and in harmony with the Way (道).

The imagery of descending (下) resonates with the Christian theme of kenosis—Christ “emptying Himself” and descending from heaven (Philippians 2:6–8). In Christian theology, humility (being “low” or “under”) is exalted: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Thus 下 embodies the paradox of spiritual greatness found in voluntary humility and service.