旨

Originally denoting “good taste” or “deliciousness,” later extended metaphorically to “refined meaning,” “purposed intent,” or “central idea.”

Ideogrammic compound consisting of:

匕 (비수 비) — depicting a spoon or ladle, symbolizing the act of tasting or scooping.

口 (입 구) — representing the mouth.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), Xu Shen defines:

「旨，美也。从匕从口。」

“旨 means beautiful or delicious; composed of 匕 (spoon) and 口 (mouth).”

The form thus depicts “tasting something with the mouth,” hence “flavorful, delicious.”

In later script evolution, the component 口 was graphically altered to resemble 日, producing the modern form 旨.

By the Warring States and Han periods, the sense expanded metaphorically from “good taste” to “good meaning” or “main point,” as taste and intent were both viewed as inner essences discerned by refinement.

旨 (뜻) — purport; flavor; intent

主旨 (주지) — main idea, principal intent

宗旨 (종지) — guiding principle, central doctrine

旨意 (지의) — purpose; will; intention

旨趣 (지취) — true meaning; purport

旨酒 (지주) — fine wine, exquisite liquor

甘旨 (감지) — sweet and delicious food

旨味 (지미) — savory taste; refined flavor

In ancient literature, 旨 often conveyed both literal and moral refinement.

The Book of Songs (詩經·大雅) uses 旨 to describe the excellence of taste and virtue:

「食我農夫，旨且多。」— “Eat the farmer’s yield — rich and delicious.”

Later, in Confucian writings, 旨 evolved toward the abstract sense of “the purposed essence” or “core meaning,” as in:

「聖人之旨，不出乎仁義。」— “The sage’s true intent does not depart from benevolence and righteousness.” (Liji, 禮記)

In Korean historical documents such as the "Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" (Joseon Wangjo Sillok, 朝鮮王朝實錄), variants using 止 in place of 匕 are frequently found, reflecting the fluidity of early Korean manuscript orthography and the visual similarity between the two forms.

Thus, 旨 unites the sensory and the intellectual — from savoring taste with the tongue to discerning meaning with the mind.

It embodies refinement, both of palate and of thought, representing that which is delicious in flavor and profound in purpose.