崇

Phono-semantic compound:

山 (산, “mountain”) — semantic, representing height or loftiness.

宗 (종, “ancestor, master, clan”) — phonetic, providing the sound 숭 and associated with reverence.

The character depicts the idea of something high like a mountain, extended metaphorically to high esteem or reverence.

숭상(崇尙) — reverence, esteem

숭고(崇高) — lofty, sublime, noble

숭앙(崇仰) — deep respect, adoration

존숭(尊崇) — veneration, high respect

Historical / cultural usage:

崇德 (숭덕) — “to exalt virtue.” Found in Confucian texts (e.g., Book of Documents, 尚書), encouraging rulers to elevate moral virtue above all else.

崇仁 (숭인) — “to honor benevolence.” In Mencius (孟子), emphasizes the priority of 仁 (ren, benevolence) in governance.

崇敬 (숭경) — “to venerate with respect,” widely used in Buddhist and Confucian writings to describe devotion to sages or the Buddha.

崇高 (숭고) — “lofty, sublime.” Adopted in modern philosophical and literary contexts to describe noble ideals or elevated moral/spiritual states.

In Daoist and imperial inscriptions, 崇 was often used to honor mountains, deities, or rulers, showing reverence toward higher powers (e.g., 崇山, “lofty mountain”).