銜

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

金 (쇠 금) — semantic element, indicating metal or metallic objects.

行 (다닐 행) — phonetic element, providing the pronunciation xián.

Originally, 銜 referred to a metallic bit placed in a horse’s mouth,

a tool for guidance and restraint — the literal origin of its meaning.

From this, the notion expanded metaphorically to:

- holding something between the teeth - “to hold” or “to contain”;

- controlling emotion or speech - “to restrain”;

- bearing a duty or office - “title, rank.”

銜命 (함명) — to carry out an order; literally “bearing a command”

銜接 (함접) — to connect, to link together

職銜 (직함) — title, official rank

懷銜 (회함) — to bear resentment or affection in the heart

含銜 (함함) — to hold (something) in the mouth

銜恨 (함한) — to harbor hatred or regret

銜冤 (함원) — to nurse a grievance; to feel wronged

The horse’s bit (銜) symbolizes discipline, both physical and moral — guiding one’s impulses as reins guide a steed.

聖人之治，如馬之銜轡。

“The sage’s governance is like the bit and bridle of a horse.”

— Han Feizi (韓非子)

Here, 銜 represents the moral restraint that channels energy into order.

In classical prose, 銜恨, “to bear hatred,” expresses silent endurance — suffering kept inward rather than released.

銜冤而終，不言其痛。

“He bore his grievance to the end, without voicing his pain.”

This sense merges emotional restraint with moral endurance, echoing Confucian ideals of dignity in silence.

In official or ceremonial contexts, 銜命 (“bearing an order”) connotes faithful service under command, as the bit guides the horse — symbolizing obedience tempered by conscience.

銜命奉行，不敢怠慢。

“Bearing the command, he executed it without negligence.”

Modern metaphor “職銜” — literally means “the designation one carries.”

By semantic extension, what one “bears in the mouth” — the bit — came to represent what one “bears in title.”