塑

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

土 (earth) — semantic component, clearly points to clay or soil as material;

朔 — phonetic component, supplying the sound (소 / sù).

The original sense is the act of shaping clay by hand.

Semantic development:

- to mold clay into form;

- to sculpt or model;

- to shape abstractly (ideas, character, image).

In modern Chinese relating to plastic (synthetic molded material).

The idea that something molded cannot easily return to its original state reflects the concept of plastic deformation in material science — hence the modern association with plastics.

In technical vocabulary, 塑 appears in engineering and materials science contexts.

소상 (塑像) — clay statue; sculpture

소성 (塑性) — plasticity

소성가공 (塑性加工) — plastic forming (metalworking term)

塑 emphasizes shaping by molding, rather than carving or constructing.

Unlike carving (which removes material), 塑 implies forming by adding or reshaping pliable material.

In engineering terminology, 塑性 refers to permanent deformation — the inability to return to original form after stress.

The character bridges ancient craft (clay modeling) and modern industrial materials (plastic).

Related characters:

土 — earth; soil

陶 — pottery; to mold pottery

彫 — to carve

造 — to create; to build

In Buddhist art, 塑像 refers to clay statues of the Buddha or bodhisattvas, widely produced in temples.

The figurative use “to shape character” or “to shape society” became common in modern Chinese writing:

塑造形象 — to shape an image

塑造人格 — to shape personality