燒

A phono-semantic compound consisting of:

火 — “fire,” indicating burning, heat, or combustion

堯 — phonetic element (yáo / shāo), contributing the sound

The original meaning of 燒 is "to apply fire so that something burns or is consumed."

Unlike 火, which denotes fire itself, 燒 emphasizes the act of burning and its effect on objects.

Semantic development:

- to burn / ignite (literal fire action)

- to roast or cook (food preparation by fire)

- to heat intensely (objects, substances)

- burning sensation or fever (metaphorical extension)

- emotional intensity (burning passion, urgency)

연소 (燃燒) — combustion

소각 (燒却) — incineration

소화 (燒火) — lighting a fire

발소 (發燒) — fever

Cultural and figurative meanings:

- fire as destruction and purification

- burning as transformation (raw → cooked, old → new)

- emotional intensity described as “burning”

This symbolism is common across Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions.

Related characters:

火 — fire

燃 — to ignite; to burn

灼 — to scorch; to sear

炎 — flame; blazing heat

灰 — ashes

Semantic contrast:

燒 — active burning process

燃 — ignition, combustion

焚 — burning deliberately (often ritual or destructive)

炙 — roasting, grilling

灼 — scorching heat

燒 appears frequently in historical and philosophical texts in contexts such as:

- warfare (burning cities or supplies)

- ritual sacrifice (burning offerings)

- punishment or destruction

Example patterns:

燒城 — to burn a city

燒林 — to burn forests

In Buddhist literature, 燒 is often used metaphorically to describe:

- worldly desires that “burn” the mind

- suffering likened to fire