悖

A phono-semantic compound:

心 (heart, mind) — semantic component, indicating mental state, intention, or moral attitude

孛 (comet; sudden upheaval) — phonetic component, providing the sound "pae"

In oracle bone inscriptions (甲骨文), this character appeared in a completely different form, based on 戈 (halberd): two weapons facing each other at 180 degrees, symbolizing armed opposition and conflict.

In Zhou script (籒文), this evolved into a form interpreted by Xu Shen (許慎) as 𢨋, composed of 或 (territory / state) facing each other representing rival powers in direct confrontation, hence the meaning to oppose, rebel, disrupt order.

Later, from seal script (篆書) onward, the character was re-formed as a phono-semantic compound using 孛 as the phonetic element, producing the modern form 悖.

In Korean, 悖 survives in Sino-Korean compounds, mostly in:

- academic writing

- legal, ethical, or philosophical contexts

- classical literature

It always retains a negative moral nuance.

패리 (悖理) — defying reason; acting against principle

패도 (悖道) — going against the proper way; immoral conduct

패행 (悖行) — perverse or unruly behavior

패언 (悖言) — words that violate reason or propriety

패역 (悖逆) — rebellion; defiance against authority

Related characters

逆 — to rebel, go against

反 — to oppose, reverse

違 — to violate

亂 — disorder, chaos

The association with 孛 (comet) is significant: comets in ancient China symbolized sudden disorder, rebellion, and cosmic imbalance.

悖 often implies knowing defiance, not accidental error.

The character bridges political rebellion, ethical violation, and mental perversity.

Unlike simple “disagreement,” 悖 suggests active opposition to established norms.

Classical citations:

In classical philosophy, 悖 is closely linked to moral disorder and social chaos.

《論語》 (The Analects)

「言悖而出，行悖而入。」

“Words spoken in defiance return in defiance; actions taken in defiance return in defiance.”

《孟子》 (Mencius)

「悖理亂常。」

“To defy principle is to disorder the constant norms.”