膽

Originally denoted the gallbladder, an internal organ associated with bile.

From ancient times, this organ was metaphorically linked to courage, firmness, and emotional resolve, much as “heart” or “gut” are used metaphorically in modern languages.

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

肉 (고기 육) — semantic component, indicating a bodily organ or flesh-related concept.

詹 (이를 첨) — phonetic component, giving the sound dam and the sense of containment or fullness.

Thus, 膽 depicts a fleshy organ (肉) associated with the sound and qualities of 詹 — signifying the gallbladder, later extended to represent inner moral and emotional strength.

膽力 (담력) — courage; bravery

膽大 (담대) — bold; daring

膽小 (담소) — timid; cowardly

膽識 (담식) — insight; fortitude; discernment under pressure

膽寒 (담한) — terrified; “cold to the gall”

膽怯 (담겁) — fearful; lacking courage

膽汁 (담즙) — bile; gall fluid

膽石 (담석) — gallstone

膽氣 (담기) — spirit; nerve; inner energy

In medical texts, 膽 retains its literal meaning as the organ of bile —

one of the “five viscera (五臟)” in traditional Chinese medicine, paired with the liver (肝).

In literary and moral texts, it symbolizes courage, resolve, and moral integrity.

In ancient Chinese thought, human emotions and virtues were often tied to internal organs:

心 (heart) — thought, consciousness

肝 (liver) — planning, anger

膽 (gallbladder) — courage, decision-making

肺 (lungs) — grief, order

腎 (kidneys) — fear, endurance

Thus, 膽 was considered the seat of courage and decisiveness (勇斷).

A person said to possess 大膽 (big gallbladder) was brave and resolute, while 膽小 (small gallbladder) implied timidity.

Confucian texts often used 膽 metaphorically to describe moral courage:

「士不可以無膽。」

“A true scholar cannot be without courage.”

Daoist writings, meanwhile, emphasized harmony of the internal organs —

when the 膽 was clear and balanced, one’s spirit (神) was calm and fearless.

膽 symbolizes the strength to act rightly despite fear — courage rooted not in aggression, but in clarity of mind and steadiness of heart.

The flesh radical (肉) represents human nature and emotion, while 詹 suggests speech, deliberation, and fullness — together forming the image of measured, intelligent courage.

「膽者，勇之府也。」

“The gallbladder is the storehouse of courage.”

Hence, 膽 unites body and spirit — physical resilience with moral will.

膽 teaches that true bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act with integrity despite it.

「膽定則心安，心安則事成。」

“When the gall (courage) is steady, the heart is at peace; when the heart is at peace, all things succeed.”

Thus, 膽 stands as a character of courage, decisiveness, and inner balance, reminding us that the seat of strength lies not in might,

but in the calm heart that dares to act with clarity.