辭

Compound of semantic and symbolic elements:

𤔔 (어지러울 란) — depicting movement or disorder, representing verbal or legal conflict.

辛 (매울 신) — the shape of a punishment tool or torture implement, symbolizing interrogation, trial, or confession.

Together, they express the act of arguing or defending oneself in a dispute or court, thus producing the meaning “to plead, to speak in one’s defense.”

Over time, this evolved into the broader sense of verbal expression (speech, word choice) and formal withdrawal or refusal, especially in official or ceremonial contexts.

사퇴 (辭退) — resignation, withdrawal

사임 (辭任) — resignation from a position

사양 (辭讓) — polite refusal, modesty

변사 (辯辭) — argument, defense speech

불사 (不辭) — not to refuse; to willingly undertake

In Korean, 辭 often appears in formal or respectful expressions related to speech, resignation, and courtesy.

In ancient Chinese administration, 辭 was closely tied to the ritual and legal language of officials — formal petitions, resignations, or defenses were all “words of 辭.”

In Confucian ethics, 辭 embodies the balance between humility and propriety: to decline (辭) when unworthy, yet not to refuse (不辭) when duty calls.

In literary tradition, 辭 also evolved into a poetic genre — the “Ci (辭)” lyric form, flourishing during the Tang and Song dynasties, characterized by rhythmical prose and emotional subtlety.