兵

Fundamentally means “a soldier” or “armed force.”

It extends to denote weapons, military matters, and by metaphor, conflict or struggle in general.

In ancient times, it referred both to the individual warrior and to the collective force of the army.

Ideogrammic compound, originally depicting two hands grasping weapons.

The early oracle bone and bronze script forms show two crossed halberds (戈) or a person holding a blade, representing armed combatants.

Later, its structure stabilized into a simplified composite — symbolizing the combination of men and arms, the very essence of an army.

Thus, 兵 came to mean “the one who bears arms” or “the military force itself.”

軍兵 (군병) — troops; soldiers

兵士 (병사) — soldier; enlisted man

兵力 (병력) — military strength; manpower

兵器 (병기) — weapons; arms

兵法 (병법) — art of war; military strategy

兵營 (병영) — barracks; military camp

兵役 (병역) — military service

兵亂 (병란) — war; military rebellion

兵站 (병참) — supply lines; logistics

兵學 (병학) — military science

徵兵 (징병) — conscription; draft

退兵 (퇴병) — retreating troops

送兵 (송병) — to dispatch troops

戰兵 (전병) — battle troops; combat soldiers

In early China, 兵 referred to both the tools of war and the men who wielded them — encompassing the full meaning of “armed power.”

It was regarded as a vital yet perilous instrument, necessary for protection but dangerous if misused.

The Art of War (孫子兵法) opens with the line:

「兵者，國之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。」

“War is the great affair of the state, the ground of life and death, the path to survival or extinction — it must be studied deeply.”

Here, 兵 (the art of warfare) stands as a symbol of strategy, discipline, and moral restraint.

The true mastery of 兵 was never about mere fighting, but about control, timing, and wisdom in using force.

In Confucian political philosophy, 兵 was considered one of the “Three Essentials of State”:

「國以民為本，以食為天，以兵為用。」

“The state rests on the people, depends on food, and acts through its military.”

兵 embodies power, defense, and discipline.

It symbolizes both the strength that guards peace and the danger of unrestrained violence.

In moral philosophy, it represents the paradox of necessary force —

that true peace often requires those prepared for war, yet wisdom must temper strength.

「以兵止兵，非好戰也。」

“To use arms to end arms is not to love war.”

Thus, 兵 carries both the honor of service and the burden of restraint, reminding rulers and warriors alike that war must serve justice, not pride.

兵 teaches that discipline is the soul of strength.

A soldier’s weapon is only as noble as the cause it serves.

To bear 兵 is to carry responsibility — to guard, not to destroy.

「兵貴精不貴多。」

“In war, quality is more precious than quantity” — Sunzi.

Hence, 兵 stands as a timeless emblem of courage, restraint, and duty — the disciplined force that upholds peace through vigilance.