振

A phono-semantic compound:

手 (hand) — semantic indicator (manual action, movement)

辰 (chén, “time; celestial sign; vibration”) — phonetic element

The earliest sense of 振 is shaking something with the hand, especially to shake dust off clothes or loosen what is stuck.

From this physical image arose the idea of shaking off stagnation, which naturally extended to moral, political, and emotional revival.

The component 辰 also carries connotations of cyclical time and movement, reinforcing the idea of renewal.

振作 (진작) — to pull oneself together; to revive

振奮 (진분) — to inspire; to uplift

振興 (진흥) — to revive; to promote (nation, culture, industry)

振動 (진동) — vibration

振臂 (진비) — to raise one’s arm (as a rallying gesture)

振威 (진위) — to display authority

振 is the character of revival through motion. It encodes:

- shaking off stagnation

- moral and emotional awakening

- political and cultural rejuvenation

- purposeful disruption that leads to strength

Across classical and modern usage, 振 never implies chaos —

it implies movement toward restored vitality.

Semantically related characters:

奮 — to exert oneself; to rise energetically

興 — to rise; to flourish

鼓 — to drum; to encourage

揚 — to raise; to lift up

Contrastive:

搖 / 摇 — to sway or shake aimlessly

震 — to quake (often external or natural force)

抖 — to shake lightly

振 differs by emphasizing intentional shaking that leads to renewal or uplift.

Classical citations:

《孟子》 (Mencius)

「振民育德。」

“To rouse the people and cultivate virtue.”

Here, 振 refers not to physical motion, but to awakening and revitalizing society.

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「欲振國威。」

“(He) wished to restore the authority of the state.”

This usage firmly establishes 振 as a verb of political revival and strengthening.

《唐詩》 (Tang poetry)

「長風一振，百鳥皆驚。」

“With a single beat of the great wind, all birds were startled.”

Here, 振 vividly depicts sudden, powerful motion, retaining its physical imagery.

In Buddhist and doctrinal texts:

「振迷啓悟。」

“To shake beings out of delusion and awaken them to insight.”

In this context, 振 functions as spiritual awakening through disruption.