義

In oracle bone inscriptions, the form shows a spear or halberd (我) with a sheep’s head (羊) mounted on it – a depiction of a ritual offering.

Originally meant “ritual” or “ceremony.”

Over time, the meaning expanded to “that which is morally correct,” “justice,” and “duty.”

To separate the purely ritualistic sense, the character 儀 (ceremony) was later created.

義 is often used in compound words like:

정의 (正義) – “justice, righteousness”

의리 (義理) – “loyalty, integrity”

도의 (道義) – “moral principles”

Can also refer to artificial or prosthetic objects:

義치 (義齒) – dentures;

義족 (義足) – artificial leg.

義 and 意 (meaning “intention”) sound the same in Korean (의) and are often confused.

義 refers to the meaning of words or moral correctness.

意 refers to a person’s inner will or intent.

宜 (의) (“appropriate, fitting”) is closely related in meaning. 宜 is the adjective form (“appropriate”), and 義 is the noun form (“that which is appropriate or just”).