碑

Phono-semantic compound:

石 (석, “stone”) — semantic, indicating something made of stone.

卑 (비, “low, humble”) — phonetic, providing the sound bi.

Originally referred to upright stone columns used for practical or ceremonial purposes.

From the Han dynasty onward, it came to specifically mean inscribed memorial stelae that recorded achievements, decrees, or memorial dedications.

비석 (碑石) — commemorative stele, inscribed stone

묘비 (墓碑) — gravestone, memorial marker

비명 (碑銘) — epitaph, inscription on a stele

기념비 (紀念碑) — commemorative monument

금석문 (金石文) — inscriptions on metal or stone, used in archaeology and paleography

In pre-Han texts, inscribed stones were generally called 刻石 (각석), literally “engraved stone.”

During the Han dynasty, the term 碑 became standard for inscribed commemorative monuments.

The character appears frequently in epigraphic and historical works, such as 《漢書》 (Book of Han) and later dynastic histories, where it denotes state or temple memorial stones.

碑碣 (비갈) refers collectively to all types of stone stelae:

碑 (비) — with decorative tops such as 螭首 (dragon head) or 加檐石 (roof-stone).

碣 (갈) — simpler, round-topped stelae without ornamentation.

碑 were considered more formal and prestigious.

Stone inscriptions have played a vital role in East Asian historiography, epigraphy, and religious culture.

Famous stelae include:

광개토왕비 (廣開土王碑, Gwanggaeto Stele) — erected in 414 CE in Ji’an, Jilin, recording the conquests of King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo.

태종무열왕비 (太宗武烈王碑, Taejong Muyeol Stele) — commemorating the achievements of King Muyeol of Silla (654–661 CE).

唐開成石經 (Tang Kaicheng Stone Classics) — a monumental Tang-dynasty engraving (837–841 CE) of Confucian classics on stone slabs for preservation.

Such stelae not only serve as historical archives and artistic relics, but also reflect the Confucian reverence for written virtue and ancestral merit.

They remain key sources for linguistic and calligraphic studies — particularly for tracing clerical and regular script evolution in East Asian epigraphy.

𥵔

碣 (갈, “flat-topped stele”) — a similar but smaller or rounded monument.

碑碣 (비갈) — general term for all inscribed stones.

Traditionally, 碑 had an ornamental headstone (螭首 or 加檐石), while 碣 was plain-topped.