紛

Originally a compound ideograph, later interpreted as a phono-semantic hybrid.

糸 (가는실 멱) — semantic component, representing fine threads or connections.

分 (나눌 분) — semantic or partly phonetic element, indicating separation or division.

The combination depicts threads being pulled apart and scattered, evoking the image of tangled or frayed strands — hence “disorder” and “confusion.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「紛，亂絲也。从糸，分聲。」

“紛 means tangled threads; composed of 糸 (‘silk thread’) and phonetic 分 (‘to divide’).”

Thus, the earliest definition directly links the physical image of entangled silk to the mental or social idea of confusion.

紛亂 (분란) — disorder; confusion; chaos

紛爭 (분쟁) — conflict; dispute

紛紛 (분분) — numerous; scattered; tumultuous

紛擾 (분요) — disturbance; turmoil

紛披 (분비) — scattered and disordered

紛飛 (분비) — fluttering and scattering (of snow, petals, etc.)

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 1137):

「紛，亂也；又衆也；又盛也。」

“紛 means disorder; also multitude; also abundance.”

Book of Odes (詩經 · 小雅):

「紛紛擾擾，君子是則。」

“In the midst of turmoil and confusion, the gentleman keeps his way” — 紛紛 used for social unrest.

Zuo Zhuan (左傳 · 昭公二十五年):

「國人紛紛，莫知所從。」

“The people were in great confusion and knew not whom to follow.”

Mencius (孟子 · 滕文公下):

「天下紛紛，未嘗定也。」

“All under Heaven was in turmoil and never at rest.”

Cultural and literary notes:

In Confucian contexts, 紛 depicts moral or political confusion (紛亂之世 “a time of disorder”).

In Daoist and poetic writings, it often connotes the multiplicity of worldly affairs from which sages withdraw (萬物紛紛 “myriad things in turmoil”).

In Buddhist translations, 紛 sometimes parallels “vexation” (煩惱), representing mental distraction.

Its semantic range extends from the physical (tangled silk) to the social and psychological (chaos, conflict, restless thought).

Whether describing 紛紛之世 (“a troubled world”) or 花紛飛 (“blossoms scattering”), the character captures the image of many things moving without harmony.