似

A phono-semantic compound:

人 (사람 인) — person, providing the semantic element.

以 (써 이) — phonetic component, giving the sound.

Thus the character originally meant “to resemble a person,” extending to similarity or analogy more generally.

Semantic range:

- to resemble, to be similar to;

- to appear as if, to seem;

- to compare, to be like.

似 (상사) — to resemble, be alike

似乎 (사호) — it seems, apparently

類似 (유사) — analogous, similar

似是而非 (사시이비) — seemingly right but actually wrong

In classical Chinese thought, 似 is often used in analogy-making: comparing the human realm with the natural or cosmic order. This aligns with Confucian and Daoist traditions that sought truth in correspondences.

The concept of likeness (似) was also important in aesthetics: in early Chinese painting and poetry, 似 described how art resembles reality — not in exact duplication, but in capturing its essential spirit.

The concept of resemblance or likeness expressed by 似 connects closely to the biblical teaching that humanity was created “in the image and likeness of God” (imago Dei, Genesis 1:26–27).

In Christian theology, this likeness emphasizes human dignity, moral capacity, and the call to reflect divine attributes such as love, justice, and holiness. Thus, 似 can be seen not only as “resemblance” in a general sense, but as pointing toward the profound theological idea of humans mirroring God’s nature in creation.