安
- peaceful, calm, secure;
- safe, at ease;
Etymology
Ideogrammatic compound:
宀 (roof, house) — indicates a dwelling or home.
女 (woman) — represents a woman.
Originally depicted “a woman within the house”, symbolizing peace, stability, and safety at home.
Semantic range:
- peace, tranquility, safety;
- to pacify, to settle;
- comfortable, secure, at ease;
- interrogative “how, why” (classical usage).
Usage in Korean
안전 (安全) — safety, security
안심 (安心) — relief, peace of mind
불안 (不安) — anxiety, unease
평안 (平安) — peace, tranquility
안위 (安危) — safety and danger
안락 (安樂) — comfort, ease
Additional notes
In Buddhist texts, 安 often connotes spiritual tranquility and freedom from suffering (안락국, 安樂國 = Pure Land).
安 is widely used in Christian vocabulary to translate peace (eirēnē / shalom), as in 平安 (“peace be with you”). In Christian theology, true 安 is not only physical safety but the spiritual peace and rest that come from reconciliation with God through Christ.
