呪

An associative compound:

口 (mouth) × 2 — spoken words, utterance

兄 (elder brother; leader) — person who speaks aloud or leads speech

The character depicts spoken words uttered with authority or ritual intent, emphasizing the performative power of speech—whether for prayer, invocation, or curse.

The original and etymologically correct form is 呪, consisting of:

two mouths (口口) → spoken utterance, recitation

兄 → a leading or authoritative speaker

This reflects early beliefs that spoken words themselves possess supernatural or binding power.

Semantic evolution:

- ritual spoken invocation

- prayer or supplication

- verbal curse

- magical or religious formula

- fixed incantation (especially in Buddhism)

주문 (呪文) — spell; incantation

저주 (咀呪 / 呪詛) — curse

주술 (呪術) — sorcery; magic

呪 reflects an ancient worldview in which spoken language itself was believed to act upon reality. Whether prayer or curse, utterance was not symbolic but performative—words were deeds.

This belief underlies:

- shamanistic ritual speech

- Buddhist mantra recitation

- folk magic and curses

In Buddhist Chinese translations, 呪 (and later 咒) was widely used to translate:

- mantra

- dhāraṇī

- sacred formulae

Examples:

真言呪 — mantra

呪文 — spell, incantation

In this context, 呪 does not imply “curse,” but rather sacred recitation believed to possess spiritual efficacy.

Related characters:

祈 — to pray (divine-oriented)

祝 — to bless

詛 — to curse formally

言 — speech, words

咒 (U+5492) rearranges the components by moving the left 口 above the 儿 element. This form became standardized in China and Taiwan.

However 咒 is considered a graphic rearrangement, not a distinct original creation.

Some scholars—particularly in Taiwan—have criticized the elevation of 咒 to “standard” status, arguing that it obscures the original structure and meaning.

Korea and Japan retained the original form 呪 as the standard character.