囚

囚 is a compound ideograph formed from:

囗 (에워쌀 위) — “to enclose, to surround,” symbolizing a boundary or confinement.

人 (사람 인) — “person, human being.”

The composition literally depicts a person enclosed within a boundary, conveying the idea of imprisonment or confinement.

The earliest forms clearly show a small human figure trapped inside a square or circular enclosure — the visual metaphor of captivity.

囚犯 (수범) — a criminal, prisoner

囚禁 (수금) — to imprison, to detain

囚徒 (수도) — a captive, inmate

釋囚 (석수) — to release a prisoner

In early Chinese philosophy, 囚 could symbolize not only physical imprisonment, but also moral or mental constraint — the soul “enclosed” by desires or guilt.

Thus, 囚心 (“imprisoned heart”) describes one’s conscience trapped in remorse.

In classical texts, 囚 appeared frequently in legal and historical records:

囚于獄中 — “confined in prison.”

釋囚以示恩 — “release the prisoners to show mercy.”

It represented both punishment and redemption, echoing the ruler’s authority to confine or pardon.

In Buddhist writings, 囚 could metaphorically describe attachment or samsara — the human mind trapped within cycles of suffering.

In literature, it symbolizes loneliness, sorrow, or social constraint, as in the image of 囚鳥 (“caged bird”) in Tang poetry.

Today, 囚 remains common in compounds related to imprisonment and restriction, but also appears metaphorically in phrases like:

囚於體制 (“imprisoned by the system”)

囚於過去 (“trapped in the past”)

Thus, its meaning extends from the tangible prison to the psychological or social cages of human life.