樂

Several theories exist regarding its origin:

1. Pictograph of a stringed instrument

2. Depicts bells held in the hands during ritual dances

3. Based on a drum or percussion instrument

In any case, the character is considered a pictograph.

Old Chinese reconstruction: ŋrawks (Baxter). Later sound changes gave rise to multiple readings (ak, rak, yo, ro, ryo, rok).

낙원 (樂園) — paradise

음악 (音樂) — music

쾌락 (快樂) — joy, happiness, pleasure

오락 (娛樂) — entertainment

악곡 (樂曲) — musical piece

향락 (享樂) — enjoyment

요산요수 (樂山樂水) — delight in mountains and waters

樂 uniquely connects:

ritual music ↔ cosmic harmony ↔ emotional joy.

In Confucian thought, 禮樂 (ritual and music) forms the foundation of moral order.

In classical philosophy:

- music harmonizes society;

- joy arises from moral order.

Confucius emphasized 樂 as a civilizing force.

Related characters:

喜 — joy (emotional delight)

歡 — joyful happiness

娛 — entertainment

悅 — pleasure

Main reading:

ak (ak) → 樂器 (musical instrument)

Derived readings:

rak (rak, joy/pleasure → 樂園 “paradise,”

yo (yo, to like → 樂此不疲 “to delight in this and never tire”)

ro (ro, attested in some classical texts)

ryo (ryo, only in passages in the Book of Songs)

rok (rok, found in military classics like the Six Secret Teachings)

Note:

The Korean reading: when 樂 is used at the start of a word, often follows the two-sound law (두음법칙), so 락 → 낙 (e.g., 樂園 → 낙원).

Otherwise, 樂 is usually read 악 (music) or 락 (joy/pleasure).

楽 (U+697D) — Japanese shinjitai (simplified form)

乐 (U+4E50) — Chinese simplified form

㦡 (U+39A1) — old form with 心 (heart radical)

Taiwan sometimes uses a form where the lower 木 resembles 朩.