麗

Also used phonetically in proper names such as 고려(高麗) and 고구려(高句麗). Carries the sense of both physical beauty and refined elegance.

麗 (고울) — beautiful, graceful

華麗 (화려) — splendid, magnificent

美麗 (미려) — beautiful, graceful

高麗 (고려) — ancient Korean kingdom (Goryeo)

高句麗 (고구려) — ancient Korean kingdom (Goguryeo)

秀麗 (수려) — elegant, graceful, refined

艷麗 (염려) — dazzlingly beautiful

明麗 (명려) — bright and lovely

壯麗 (장려) — grand and splendid

麗人 (려인) — a beautiful woman

In ancient Chinese phonology, 麗 had dual readings:

lì (거성) — denoting “beautiful, splendid.”

lí / liě (평성) — used phonetically in names such as 高麗 (Goryeo).

This distinction explains the Korean readings “려(麗)” for the semantic form and “려(麗)” in place-names like 고려 and 고구려, where the tone reflects the older lí register.

The Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典) glosses 麗 as:

「麗，美也，附也。」

“麗 means beautiful, also to attach or to pair.”

In Confucian and poetic usage, 麗 frequently evokes the idea of harmonious beauty — that which is pleasing by balance and proportion rather than extravagance.

For example, the Book of Odes (詩經·大雅) says:

「彼美淑姬，儀式靡麗。」

“She, the fair and virtuous lady — her bearing is graceful and lovely.”

In the context of Korean history, 麗 forms part of the name 高麗 (“Goryeo”), from which the modern exonym “Korea” is derived.

Here, the meaning extends beyond aesthetic beauty to signify a cultured and refined realm — “the high and beautiful land.”

Thus, 麗 embodies a timeless ideal: beauty grounded in harmony, symmetry, and grace — the external reflection of inward refinement.