肇

Expresses the idea of initiating something important — the founding of an event, dynasty, project, or institution. It carries a formal and often solemn nuance of “commencing.”

Traditionally analyzed as a compound ideograph consisting of:

戶 — house, door;

聿 — writing brush;

攴 (攵) — action; striking; initiating.

The combination suggests an act of initiating something significant — possibly through formal proclamation, writing, or action within a household or authority structure.

The structure reflects the ancient idea of formally inaugurating or instituting something.

In Korean, 肇 appears mostly in historical, literary, or formal contexts.

창조 (創肇) — to create; to originate (classical usage)

개조 (開肇) — to inaugurate

조국 (肇國) — founding of a nation

조시 (肇始) — the beginning

In Korean personal names, 肇 may appear to convey the meaning of “origin” or “beginning.”

肇 often implies a formal or foundational beginning, sometimes with institutional or historical significance.

Related beginning-related characters:

始 — to begin (general)

創 — to create; to establish

開 — to open

起 — to rise; to start

Classical citations:

《書經》 (The Book of Documents)

「肇禋」

“To commence sacrificial rites.”

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「肇建王業」

“To found royal enterprise.”

These examples show its association with solemn initiation.