善

Formed as a compound ideograph:

羊 (“sheep”) — a symbol of beauty, goodness, and auspiciousness in ancient Chinese culture;

言 (“speech, words”) — representing language and expression.

Together, the image conveys “good speech” or “beautiful words,” extending to the broader sense of goodness, virtue, and excellence.

Originally written as 譱, with 羊 over two 言 components. Over time, it was simplified in seal script to the current form with only one 言.

Semantic range:

- good, virtuous, kind (착하다, 좋다);

- morally right, benevolent;

- skilled at, adept in (잘하다);

- favorable, auspicious.

선악 (善惡) — good and evil

선인 (善人) — a good or virtuous person

자선 (慈善) — charity, philanthropy

개선 (改善) — improvement

능선 (能善) — to be good at, skilled

In Confucian thought, 善 is closely tied to the moral cultivation of the self (수기修己) and the harmonious ordering of society. The term denotes both ethical goodness and practical skill, linking morality with effectiveness.

In Buddhism, 善 often contrasts with 惡 (“evil”) to distinguish wholesome from unwholesome actions, central to karma.