狂

Phono-semantic compound:

犬 (“dog”) — semantic element, wild, uncontrolled movement is linked with dogs in ancient imagery

㞷 (“to go astray; wander”) — phonetic element

The semantic association with dogs likely comes from imagery of wild or uncontrollable behavior, a common metaphor in early Chinese writing.

The upper part of 㞷 was later simplified, leaving 王 in the current form. Thus the modern shape “犬 + 王” is inherited from a reduction of the phonetic part, not intended to reference “king.”

광기 (狂氣) — madness, insanity

광란 (狂亂) — frenzy, wild chaos

광도 (狂徒) — violent criminal, “maniac”

광풍 (狂風) — a wild gale; figuratively, a storm of emotions

광상발작 (狂想發作) — a manic fit, uncontrollable imagination

미치광이 (狂人) — a madman

In classical texts, 狂 often describes someone who is bold, daring, unrestrained, not necessarily clinically insane.

In Confucian writing, 狂者 is someone too forward / too ambitious, contrasted with 狷者 (overly cautious).

The character appears frequently in philosophy, poetry, and dramatic literature to depict emotional or social extremes.

Classical citations:

《論語·陽貨》 (The Analects)

「狂者進取，狷者有所不為也。」

“The bold advance; the cautious refrain from certain actions.”

《孟子·公孫丑上》 (Mencius)

「孔子之謂集大成也，集大成者也，無所不備。狂者進取，狷者有所不為也。」

“Confucius is said to have perfected the great tradition. He who perfects the great tradition is complete in every respect. The reckless man pushes forward, while the timid man refrains from certain actions.”

《莊子·養生主》 (Zhuangzi)

「彼節者有間，而刀刃者無厚，以無厚入有間，恢恢乎其於遊刃必有餘地矣。」

"The section has a gap, and the blade has no thickness. By inserting the thicknessless into the gap, there is certainly plenty of room for the blade to play."

Commentaries describe uncontrolled behavior using 狂; included for semantic connection.