亂
- to be disordered, chaotic, in turmoil;
Etymology
Formed as a phono-semantic compound:
乙 (새 을) provides the semantic suggestion of twisting, curling, or distortion.
𤔔 (어지러울 란) supplies the phonetic element.
Together they convey the sense of entanglement, confusion, disorder.
Semantic range:
- disorder, chaos (어지럽다);
- rebellion, revolt (난, 叛亂);
- moral or emotional confusion (혼란, 요란);
- by extension: improper relations (e.g., 亂倫 — “immorality, violation of human order”).
Usage in Korean
混亂 (혼란) — confusion, disorder
叛亂 (반란) — rebellion, uprising
擾亂 (요란) — disturbance, commotion
亂倫 (난륜) — immorality, violation of ethical order
Additional notes
In Confucian thought, 亂 is the opposite of 治 (order, governance). Confucius repeatedly emphasized that a well-ordered society depends on ritual propriety (禮) and righteousness (義), while 亂 marks the collapse of moral and political order. The pairing of 治亂 (“order and disorder”) became a central theme in Chinese political philosophy, symbolizing the cyclical rise and fall of dynasties.
In Christian theology, 亂 resonates with the idea of sin as disorder—a disruption of God’s intended harmony in creation. Just as Confucianism contrasts 亂 with order (治), Christianity contrasts chaos with the divine order established by God. St.
Augustine famously described sin as disordered love (amor inordinatus), a concept that parallels the imagery of 亂 as moral and social confusion. Redemption in Christ is thus seen as the restoration of true order, peace — in contrast to the brokenness and disorder (亂) of the fallen world.
- 月月山 (BBU)
- ⿰ 𤔔 乚