昭

A phono-semantic compound:

日 (sun / light) — semantic component

召 (소) — phonetic component

The sun (日) supplies the meaning of brightness and illumination, while 召 provides the pronunciation "so".

Etymologically, the character conveys the idea of something being “called forth into the light,” hence clearly revealed, bright, and evident.

昭然 (소연) — clearly; unmistakably

昭明 (소명) — bright and clear; enlightened

昭示 (소시) — to make clear; to openly proclaim

昭德 (소덕) — manifest virtue

昭著 (소저) — conspicuous; well-known

In Korean personal names, 昭 is favored for its positive moral connotations:

- brightness

- clarity of character

- integrity

昭 differs from 明:

明 emphasizes brightness through contrast (sun + moon)

昭 emphasizes openness, revelation, and moral clarity

Because of this nuance, 昭 is especially frequent in classical prose, posthumous titles, official proclamations.

昭 is rare in everyday vocabulary but very common in names.

In Japanese history, it is famous from 昭和 (しょうわ, Shōwa) — the Shōwa era (1926–1989).

Classical citations:

In classical texts, 昭 is frequently associated with virtue, legitimacy, and moral illumination, not merely physical brightness.

《書經》 (The Book of Documents)

「昭明有融，高朗令終。」

“His brightness and clarity were harmonious; lofty and luminous was his end.”

《詩經》 (The Book of Songs)

「其德孔昭。」

“His virtue was exceedingly manifest.”

《左傳》 (Zuo Zhuan)

「昭德塞違。」

“He made virtue clear and blocked wrongdoing.”