激

Expresses the sense of sudden movement, force, or emotional intensity.

It can refer to water that rushes violently, feelings that surge within, or actions that are impelled by strong emotion or will.

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

水 (물 수) — semantic component, meaning “water,” representing flow, movement, or emotion.

敫 (노래할 교) — phonetic component, giving the sound gyeok and suggesting brightness, vibration, or stirring action.

The combination originally depicted “water stirred into motion” — a torrent or rapid current.

From the image of turbulent water, the meaning extended to stirring of feelings, agitation, or passionate action.

激動 (격동) — agitation; excitement; to be stirred emotionally

激勵 (격려) — to encourage; to inspire

刺激 (자극) — stimulus; to provoke; to excite

激化 (격화) — to intensify; to escalate

激變 (격변) — drastic change; upheaval

激戰 (격전) — fierce battle

激怒 (격노) — rage; furious anger

激流 (격류) — torrent; rapid current

激發 (격발) — to arouse; to evoke

激烈 (격렬) — intense; violent; passionate

感激 (감격) — deep emotion; gratitude (lit. “feelings stirred”)

In early Chinese literature, 激 described the rapid, forceful flow of rivers or rapids, symbolizing unrestrained natural energy.

「激水之疾，至於漂石。」

“When the waters flow too fiercely, even stones are swept away” — Zhuangzi (莊子).

From this vivid imagery, it became a metaphor for passion, courage, and determination — the surge of human spirit against obstacles.

In Confucian and Daoist writings alike, 激 often appears to contrast calm moderation (靜) with dynamic impulse (激) — balance between restraint and movement, stillness and passion.

In poetry and moral philosophy, 激 marks moments when emotion or virtue bursts forth with clarity — the righteous indignation of the noble man (義之激), or the sudden enlightenment of a sage (心之激明).

激 symbolizes energy in motion — water stirred by force or spirit aroused by conviction.

It embodies the power of passion, change, and transformation.

While calm water reflects, moving water renews;

激 thus represents the active side of nature and mind — emotion, movement, inspiration.

「水激則波起，人激則志立。」

“When water is stirred, waves rise; when one is stirred, purpose is born.”

激 teaches that emotion and energy, when rightly directed, become creative power.

Passion without control destroys; passion guided by purpose transforms.

「激而不亂，勇之德也。」

“To be impassioned yet not chaotic — that is the virtue of courage.”

Thus, 激 stands as a character of dynamic vitality and moral fervor — a reminder that the movement of the heart, like the rush of water, can cleanse, awaken, and give life its force when guided by wisdom.