狼

A phono-semantic compound:

犬 (dog) — semantic component, indicating a canid animal

良 (good; liáng) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (랑 / láng)

Despite 良 meaning “good,” its role here is purely phonetic. The semantic meaning is carried entirely by 犬.

The meaning of 狼 expanded from a literal animal name to a moral metaphor:

physical wolf — predatory animal

moral cruelty — greed, ruthlessness

social danger — traitors, violent people

psychological state — desperation or disgrace (via 狼狽)

Unlike 虎, which symbolizes open courage and power, 狼 often implies hidden danger, greed, or treachery.

狼 is widely used in Sino-Korean vocabulary, often carrying strongly negative connotations.

낭패 (狼狽) — embarrassment; being at a loss

탐랑 (貪狼) — greed; avarice (also a star name in astrology)

랑심 (狼心) — wolfish heart; cruelty

랑성 (狼性) — wolf-like nature; brutality

Idiomatic expressions:

낭심구폐 (狼心狗肺) — “a wolf’s heart and a dog’s lungs”; utter ingratitude

전랑 (戰狼) — fierce aggressor; ruthless fighter (modern usage)

In early Chinese lore, 狼 was not merely an ordinary wolf but was sometimes associated with a mythical creature called 낭 (狼):

- the 낭 was imagined as wolf-like but with short hind legs, brave yet lacking cunning;

- it was said to be unable to secure food on its own.

This creature was believed to travel together with 狽 (패) — a creature having short forelegs, being cowardly but extremely crafty.

Individually, neither could survive well, but together they compensated for each other’s weaknesses.

If their cooperation failed, both would be rendered helpless.

From this legend arose the idiom 낭패 (狼狽) — to fall into confusion, disgrace, or helpless embarrassment.

Related characters (canids & ferocity):

犬 — dog

狗 — dog (colloquial)

豹 — leopard

虎 — tiger

豺 — jackal

Among animal metaphors, 狼 occupies a unique position as a symbol of predatory instinct without moral restraint.

《左傳》 (Zuo Zhuan)

「狼子野心」

“A wolf’s cub harbors wild ambition.”

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「其人狼顧」

“That man looked back like a wolf.”

Implying suspicion and treacherous intent.