抗

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

手 (손 수) — semantic component, meaning “hand,” representing action, force, or resistance.

亢 (높을 항) — phonetic component, giving the sound hang and conveying the sense of “high,” “upright,” or “unyielding.”

The combination originally depicted a hand lifted high in defiance — an act of holding firm or pushing upward against pressure.

抵抗 (저항) — resistance; to resist

反抗 (반항) — rebellion; defiance; to oppose authority

抗議 (항의) — protest; formal objection

抗戰 (항전) — resistance in war; to fight back

抗衡 (항형) — to rival; to be on equal footing

抗力 (항력) — resisting force; counterforce (physics)

抗病 (항병) — resistance to disease; immunity

抗生素 (항생소) — antibiotic (lit. “substance resisting life forms”)

抗拒 (항거) — to refuse; to resist forcefully

抗命 (항명) — to disobey orders; defy command

In early Chinese military and political texts, 抗 referred to resisting invasion or oppression, symbolizing both martial courage and moral steadfastness.

「以義抗暴。」

“To resist tyranny with righteousness” — Mencius (孟子).

In Confucian moral philosophy, 抗 was valued as courageous uprightness — a refusal to submit to corruption or injustice.

To “항(抗)하다” was not rebellion born of anger, but resistance grounded in principle.

During modern history, especially in phrases like 抗日 (항일, resistance against Japan), the character came to represent national resistance and moral fortitude.

In medicine and science, its meaning expanded metaphorically:

抗體 (항체) — antibody, 抗生素 (항생소) — antibiotic — both signifying natural or engineered resistance.

抗 symbolizes upright defiance and moral strength — the power to lift one’s hand, head, or spirit against that which would oppress or degrade.

The phonetic element 亢 (“high, elevated”) reinforces the sense of raising up with dignity.

It represents not aggression, but firm refusal to yield — resistance grounded in integrity.

「抗者，高舉不屈也。」

“To resist (抗) is to lift oneself high without bending.”

抗 teaches that true resistance is rooted in righteousness, not pride.

To oppose evil or falsehood requires courage tempered by clarity of heart.

「以德抗力，不以力抗德。」

“Resist force with virtue, not virtue with force.”

Thus, 抗 stands as a character of moral steadfastness, resilience, and fearless integrity — the strength to stand upright when others bow,

and to hold firm not in hatred, but in honor.