緣

It is a phono-semantic compound, composed of:

糸 (fine thread, silk) – semantic element, symbolizing threads and connections;

彖 (dan, “to judge, to decide”) – phonetic element.

The imagery is that of threads extending and linking things together, giving rise to the meanings of causal connection, relationship, or edge.

Semantic range:

relationship, karmic bond – esp. in Buddhism, “因緣 (inyon/inyuan, dependent origination, causal condition).”

cause, reason – to be due to, on account of.

edge, border – the margin of a garment, object, or territory.

In Korean, 연 (緣) is widely used in words relating to connection, fate, and causal links:

인연 (因緣) – karmic tie, destiny, relationship

연유 (緣由) – cause, reason

연고 (緣故) – grounds, reason, circumstance

연변 (緣邊) – edge, border

연심 (緣心) – connected heart, attachment (literary)