翔

Represents flying as freedom and elegance, not mere motion.

A phono-semantic compound:

羽 (feathers; wings) — semantic component

羊 (양) — phonetic component

The 羽 component clearly marks the meaning as related to flying or wings, while 羊 provides the sound.

Unlike characters that emphasize flapping or effort, 翔 conveys smooth, expansive motion, suggesting soaring or gliding.

飛翔 (비상) — flight; soaring

翱翔 (고상) — to soar freely (literary)

翔空 (상공) — the sky; airspace (literary)

高翔 (고상) — to fly high; to rise above

翱翔하다 (고상하다) — to soar; to glide freely

Semantic nuance:

飛 (날 비) — general flying, movement

翔 — graceful, elevated, sustained flight

Because of this nuance, 翔 is favored in poetry, literary prose, symbolic expressions of freedom or ambition.

Frequently used in Japanese given names (e.g. 翔, 翔太), conveying images of freedom, aspiration, and success.

Less common in everyday modern Chinese speech than 飞, but still well known.

Often paired with birds, mythical creatures, or abstract ideals.

Classical citations:

《文選》 (Wen Xuan)

「鵬鳥高翔，以避網羅。」

“The great bird soars high, in order to avoid nets and traps.”

《楚辭》 (The Songs of Chu)

「鳳皇翼其承旗兮，高翱翔之翼翼。」

“The phoenix spreads its wings beneath the banner, soaring high with majestic grace.”

Here, 翔 is associated with freedom, nobility, and transcendence.