經

It is a phono-semantic compound, composed of:

糸 (silk, thread) – semantic element, indicating weaving or threads.

巠 (gyeong, “watercourse, channel”) – phonetic element, also carrying the idea of something straight and extended.

Original meaning: the warp threads (vertical threads in weaving), in contrast with 緯 (weft threads, horizontal).

From the idea of warp threads stretched straight and constant, the word extended to mean:

- to pass through, traverse – as one travels along a straight course.

- principle, law, order – the unchanging framework, like warp threads in cloth.

- scripture, classic texts – works embodying constant, guiding principles (e.g. 易經 “Book of Changes,” 聖經 “Holy Bible”).

- regular, periodic – cycles such as 月經 (menstruation, lit. monthly passage).

In Korean, 경 (經) is highly productive in Sino-Korean vocabulary:

경험 (經驗) – experience

경영 (經營) – management, administration

경리 (經理) – accounting, administration

경제 (經濟) – economy

성경 (聖經) – the Bible (Holy Scripture)

역경 (易經) – the Book of Changes

경도 (經度) – longitude

경위 (經緯) – warp and weft, by extension “details, structure”

월경 (月經) – menstruation