仁

It can also denote kernel, seed, nut in biological and botanical contexts.

Interpretations differ:

Phono-semantic compound:

人 (person, human) – semantic, indicating humanity.

二 (two) – phonetic element, possibly reflecting an early sound.

Alternative view (compound ideograph):

人 (human being) + 二 (two) → “the relationship between two people,” hence mutual humaneness.

Other paleographic forms:

Early variants include ⿱身心, 忎, ⿱人心, emphasizing the heart-mind connection.

Originally carried the sense of “what makes a person truly human,” later extended to moral goodness and compassion.

Semantic range:

- benevolence, kindness, humanity;

- the Confucian virtue of compassion, empathy, and moral sense;

- seed, kernel, pit (e.g. 杏仁 apricot kernel, 桃仁 peach pit);

- figurative: the essence or core of something.

仁義 (인의) – benevolence and righteousness

仁者 (인자) – a benevolent person

仁心 (인심) – compassionate heart

仁愛 (인애) – benevolence, affection

忠仁 (충인) – loyalty and benevolence

杏仁 (행인) – apricot kernel

桃仁 (도인) – peach pit

Confucius (Analects): 仁 is the central virtue, described as extending love based on familial affection, rooted in empathy. It is one of the Five Constant Virtues (仁義禮智信), often understood as the core of moral conduct.

Mencius: 仁 arises from 측은지심 (“the compassionate heart”), illustrated in the classic example of seeing a child about to fall into a well—one instinctively feels alarm and pity.

Widely used in given names across East Asia because of its positive, neutral, and dignified connotations, suitable for both men and women.

In Bible translations into Chinese/Korean, 仁 is often chosen to render agapē (ἀγάπη), the New Testament word for selfless, divine love. It is used to highlight Christ’s compassion and God’s merciful love for humanity. Thus, 仁 becomes a bridge term between Confucian benevolence and Christian charity.