清

A phono-semantic compound:

水 (water) — supplies the semantic field of liquidity, washing, clarity

靑 (phonetic: blue / green, also “clear”) — contributes both sound and sense, as it already carried meanings of clear, fresh, pure

Originally, the character described clear water through which one can see the bottom, and later expanded metaphorically.

Semanticdevelopment

Physical clarity:

- clear water

- clean surfaces

- pure substances

Sensory clarity:

- clear sound

- vivid color

- sharp perception

Moral and spiritual purity:

- incorruptibility

- pright conduct

- calm and undefiled mind

Derived meaning, syrup / honey:

- thick, clarified liquids (e.g. 청, syrup)

This explains Korean words like 과일청 (fruit syrup), 조청 (rice syrup).

청수 (淸水) — clear water

청결 (淸潔) — cleanliness

청렴 (淸廉) — integrity; incorruptibility

청정 (淸淨) — purity; purity of body and mind

淸 is clarity made visible — water without mud, sound without noise,

and a mind without defilement.

Related characters (semantic field):

清 — simplified form

淨 — pure, purified

明 — bright, clear

潔 — clean, spotless

澄 — clear after settling

廉 — incorruptible (moral clarity)

Conceptual contrast:

淸 — clarity, purity, serenity

濁 — turbidity, corruption, confusion

This contrast is fundamental in:

- Confucian ethics

- Daoist natural philosophy

- Buddhist psychology

Classical citations:

From the Analects (論語):

「君子坦蕩蕩，小人長戚戚。」

"The gentleman’s mind is clear and open, while the petty man’s mind is troubled."

Later commentators often describe the junzi’s mind as 淸明 (clear and bright).

From classical political discourse:

「淸官難得」

“A clean (incorruptible) official is hard to find.”

Here, 淸 refers to moral purity and lack of corruption.

From Buddhist vocabulary:

「淸淨心」

“The pure mind.”

In Buddhism, 淸 often describes a mind free from defilements (煩惱), paired with 淨.

From Du Fu (杜甫):

「淸江一曲抱村流」

“A clear river winds around the village.”

Here, 淸 evokes visual clarity and calm beauty, a hallmark of Tang poetry.