騎

Phono-semantic compound:

馬 (말 마) — semantic component, indicates horse or actions related to horses.

奇 (기특할 기) — phonetic component, provides the sound qí / gi and conveys notions of strangeness or distinction.

Thus 馬 + 奇 → 騎 — “to ride upon a horse,” combining the image of a horse with the sound and sense of movement or distinction.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「騎，乘馬也。从馬，奇聲。」

“騎 means to mount or ride a horse; composed of 馬 and phonetic 奇.”

This definition confirms its original, literal meaning: “to ride,” especially in the context of mounted travel or warfare.

騎馬 (기마) — horseback riding

騎兵 (기병) — cavalry; mounted troops

騎士 (기사) — knight; mounted warrior; sometimes metaphorically a noble person

騎乘 (기승) — act of riding

騎警 (기경) — mounted police

騎行 (기행) — horseback journey; also used figuratively for bicycle riding (modern extension)

Book of Han (漢書 · 匈奴傳):

「匈奴善騎射。」

“The Xiongnu are skilled in riding and archery” — here 騎 refers to both the skill and the mounted soldier.

Records of the Grand Historian (史記 · 韓信傳):

「步騎三十萬。」

“Three hundred thousand foot and horse (infantry and cavalry)” — 騎 used collectively for cavalry forces.

In later military terminology, 騎 came to designate the mounted division, as opposed to 步 (infantry).

In Buddhist texts, 騎 sometimes appears metaphorically:

「騎慧馬以入佛道。」

“Riding the horse of wisdom to enter the Way of the Buddha” — illustrating mental or spiritual mastery.

Beyond its literal sense, it also symbolizes mastery and movement — the controlled power of one who rides in balance with strength and purpose.