碇

Phono-semantic compound:

石 (돌 석) — semantic component, indicating material or relation to stone.

定 (정할 정) — phonetic component, contributing the sound dìng / jeong and the sense “to fix, to settle.”

Thus, 碇 originally signifies a stone that fixes something in place — specifically, a heavy stone used to keep a boat steady.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字) the character itself does not appear, as it is a later derivative, but it follows the same structural principle as other 石-based phono-semantic compounds like 碑 and 碧.

While relatively rare in modern Korean usage, the character appears in classical maritime and poetic vocabulary, and is still used in Japanese nautical and symbolic expressions.

碇泊 (정박) — to anchor; to moor (a ship)

碇石 (정석) — anchoring stone; literally “anchor stone”

投碇 (투정) — to drop anchor

起碇 (기정) — to raise anchor; to set sail

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 866):

「碇，繫舟石也。」

“碇 is a stone used to tie or secure boats.”

Guangyun (廣韻):

「碇，繫舟也。」 — “To anchor a boat.”

Later literary usage:

“碇泊海邊” — “Anchored by the shore.”

(Appears in Tang-era nautical poetry to signify rest or safe haven.)

Cultural and poetic notes:

In East Asian maritime culture, 碇 symbolizes rest after movement, or stability after drift.

In literary imagery, dropping anchor (投碇) often represents finding peace, security, or conclusion after a journey.

In Buddhist texts, 碇 may be used metaphorically for spiritual grounding or achieving tranquility after wandering through delusion.