膺

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

肉 (고기 육) — semantic component, meaning “flesh” or “body,” indicating a part of the body.

䧹 (매 응) — phonetic component, providing the sound eung (응) and suggesting movement or force.

Together, they signify “the part of the flesh that bears or carries strength”, i.e., the chest, which both houses the heart and supports the arms.

胸膺 (흉응) — the chest; bosom

膺懲 (응징) — to punish severely; to chastise (lit. “strike upon the chest”)

膺受 (응수) — to receive (honor, mandate, order)

膺命 (응명) — to accept a decree or mission

膺任 (응임) — to take on responsibility or office

膺賞 (응상) — to be rewarded; to receive commendation

膺天命 (응천명) — to accept Heaven’s mandate

In ancient anatomical terminology, 膺 referred specifically to the upper chest region above the heart, a vital seat of breath (qi, 氣) and courage (dan, 膽).

Because the chest was seen as the center of emotion, will, and moral integrity, 膺 gradually took on figurative meanings of bearing and accepting.

「膺乃仁宅，心之府也。」

“The chest is the dwelling of benevolence, the palace of the heart.”

— Ancient medical text, 黃帝內經 (Huangdi Neijing)

By the Han dynasty, the word expanded metaphorically — to “carry in one’s chest” meant to accept deeply, or to receive a command sincerely.

Thus, expressions like 膺命 (응명) (“to accept a royal command”) or 膺賞 (응상) (“to be rewarded”) became common in official and literary writings.

In military or moral contexts, 膺懲 (응징) evolved from the idea of “striking on the chest,” symbolizing righteous retribution or punishment delivered with moral conviction.

膺 embodies the seat of strength, courage, and acceptance — the part of the body closest to the heart and lungs, representing both vitality and emotional sincerity.

To “receive in the chest” (膺受) signifies to accept not merely externally but inwardly — a full-hearted acceptance.

「膺命於天，志行於地。」

“He receives the mandate from Heaven, and his will acts upon Earth.”

In traditional medicine and philosophy, the chest (膺) is where qi (氣) circulates freely, balancing the heart’s fire and the lungs’ air — a metaphor for moral balance and calm courage.

膺 teaches the virtue of wholehearted acceptance and responsibility.

Whether bearing honor, duty, or hardship, to “receive with the chest” is to take it sincerely — not just with hands or mind, but with one’s inner being.

「勇者膺義，懦者避之。」

“The brave bear righteousness in their chest; the weak avoid it.”

Thus, 膺 stands as a symbol of moral courage, integrity, and sincere acceptance, the living connection between heart and action — to bear truth in the chest, and act from the heart.