禦

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

示 (altar; ritual sign; divine indication) — semantic component, indicates ritual authority, prohibition, or sacred sanction;

御 (to control; to govern; to drive [a chariot]) — phonetic component, supplies the sound "eo" and carries the sense of control or restraint.

Together, 禦 expresses ritually sanctioned control or defense, especially the act of holding back or warding off something harmful or forbidden.

The meanings of 禦 developed in a layered way:

- ritual or authoritative prohibition — preventing actions by higher authority;

- defensive resistance — warding off enemies, disasters, or harm;

- institutional prevention — enforcing taboos, restrictions, or controls.

Thus, 禦 is not simple blocking; it implies legitimized restraint.

The character is rare in modern everyday usage and survives mainly in compound forms.

Classical:

방어 (防禦) — defense; protection

어적 (禦敵) — to repel the enemy

어재 (禦災) — to ward off disaster

禦 emphasizes preventive defense, not counterattack.

Often contrasted with:

攻 — to attack

犯 — to violate; to transgress

It frequently appears in state, military, and legal contexts.

Related characters:

防 — to prevent; to guard

守 — to defend; to keep

拒 — to resist; to refuse

禁 — to forbid

御 — to control; to restrain (modern substitute)

Among these, 禦 most strongly conveys authorized defense against intrusion, rather than simple blocking.

Classical usage:

禦敵於國門之外 — “To repel the enemy beyond the state’s gates”

以禮禦之 — “To restrain it through ritual propriety”

禦 preserves the 示 (ritual authority) component.

In Mainland Chinese, 御 is used universally, omitting 示.

In Japanese, 御 functions as:

- a substitute for 禦 (defense/control);

- an honorific prefix (御〜), a separate semantic development.

This shows how 禦’s meaning was absorbed into 御 regionally.