業
- work, occupation, profession, task;
- business, enterprise;
- learning, studies;
- karma (in Buddhist context);
Etymology
Pictographic origin:
From bronze inscriptions (金文 jinwen), depicting a large frame or stand with horizontal beams on which bells, gongs, or other ritual instruments were hung.
The upper part resembled teeth-like notches, while the lower part showed a decorated support base.
Originally: “instrument stand” or “ritual frame.”
Extended meanings:
- panel or plank (used in books, walls);
- by further extension, “occupation,” “study,” “work,” or “undertaking.”
Later reinterpreted as a compound of 丵 (dense vegetation, complex arrangement) + 木 (wood radical), emphasizing structured or organized activities.
Usage in Korean
직업 (職業) – occupation, profession
사업 (事業) – enterprise, business
학업 (學業) – studies, schoolwork
산업 (産業) – industry
불업 (佛業) – Buddhist karma, spiritual work
Additional notes
The simplified form 业 comes from an abbreviated version of the character; interestingly, it is also an alternate form of 北 in certain older registers (e.g., handwritten family records).
In Buddhist usage, 業 especially denotes karma—the accumulated actions that determine future consequences.