竝

Ideogrammic compound derived from two standing figures, symbolizing people standing together in a line.

Early script forms show two persons or two “立 (stand)” radicals placed side by side, representing alignment and companionship.

It can therefore be interpreted both as a pictograph of parallel figures and as a compound ideogram meaning “to stand in parallel.”

Later, the variant 並 appeared, which eventually replaced 竝 as the standard form in most regions (China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong).

However, in Korean usage, 竝 remains the classical, etymologically faithful form.

竝列 (병렬) — to stand in a row; arrangement in parallel

竝行 (병행) — to go side by side; to perform concurrently

竝存 (병존) — coexistence; simultaneous existence

竝立 (병립) — standing together; existing side by side

竝發 (병발) — simultaneous occurrence; concurrent development

竝用 (병용) — to use together; combined use

竝重 (병중) — equally important; of the same weight

竝合 (병합) — to combine; to merge; to unite

竝比 (병비) — to compare equally; to match

竝進 (병진) — to advance together

竝肩 (병견) — shoulder to shoulder; equally ranked

The original graph 𠀤 (ancient form of 竝) shows two upright figures representing persons or posts standing side by side.

This direct pictorial meaning—“parallel, together”—was easily extended to cooperation, equality, and simultaneity.

In early classical usage, 竝 often meant “both” or “all together”:

「竝進而行，不相先後。」

“They advanced together, none before or behind.”

Over time, it came to appear in administrative and philosophical texts to indicate coexistence or coordination—two forces acting in harmony or balance.

In later orthographic history 竝 was replaced by 並 in most written traditions.

幷 (originally pronounced differently) merged semantically with 竝 in the simplified forms used in mainland China.

Despite these mergers, 竝 preserves the oldest and most pictorial sense of “standing equally.”

竝 symbolizes harmony through parallelism — the coexistence of distinct entities without conflict.

Its visual form of two standing figures evokes equality, companionship, and unity in direction.

It represents both balance (side-by-side alignment) and cooperation (acting together).

Where rivalry might divide, 竝 suggests standing shoulder to shoulder — separate yet harmonious.

「竝立而不害，和之道也。」

“To stand side by side without harm — that is the way of harmony.”

竝 teaches the virtue of coexistence and equality.

True harmony does not erase differences but allows them to stand together in balance.

Like two figures standing upright and parallel, integrity and cooperation strengthen one another.

「道與德竝行，仁與義竝立。」

“The Way and Virtue walk together; Benevolence and Righteousness stand side by side.”

Thus, 竝 stands as a character of unity, equality, and parallel strength — a timeless emblem of standing with rather than against —

side by side, distinct yet harmonious.