牆

It means “wall” or “fence,” particularly one made of earth or brick enclosing houses or courtyards.

It represents both the physical wall that separates and protects, and the symbolic barrier between people or realms.

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

土 (흙 토) — semantic component, indicating earth, soil, or construction.

嗇 (아낄 색) — phonetic component, providing the sound jang / qiáng.

Together, they literally mean “an earthen construction” —

a solid barrier of compacted soil or masonry, symbolizing enclosure and protection.

城墻 (성장) — city wall

土墻 (토장) — earthen wall

院墻 (원장) — courtyard wall

牆角 (장각) — corner of a wall

隔墻 (격장) — separated by a wall

Figuratively:

心之墻 — “walls of the heart,” symbolizing emotional barriers.

Walls have been vital elements of East Asian civilization — from the Great Wall (長城) to household earthen fences (土墻).

The character 墻 symbolized security, privacy, and moral restraint.

To “build a wall” was to define one’s space and protect what is within, and in classical literature, 墻 often appears metaphorically for social or ethical limits.

「內有墻以守其家，外有禮以守其國。」

“Within, the wall protects the home; without, propriety protects the nation.”

墻 represents separation, protection, and definition.

A wall divides, but also creates space for peace within.

In Confucian and Daoist thought, it became a metaphor for self-discipline and moral boundaries — to restrain desires and protect virtue.

「人無禮則如屋無墻。」

“A man without propriety is like a house without walls.”

Thus, 墻 signifies not only physical security, but also inner integrity — the boundary that guards one’s mind and values.

There are two principal forms of this character:

牆 (U+7246) — original and standard form in Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Classical texts. Left component is 爿 (나무조각 장).

墻 (U+58BB) — later variant, where 爿 was replaced with 土 (흙 토).

This became common in Korea and simplified-script usage.

In 《설문해자》, the small seal form (소전) corresponds to 牆, while 《강희자전》 treats 墻 as its 俗字 (vulgarized variant).

Thus,

牆 - original

墻 - later, simplified but etymologically linked form.