茫

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

艸 (艹) — semantic component meaning “grass; plants”; 汒 — phonetic component indicating the sound (망 / máng). The character originally described vast fields of grass stretching endlessly, giving the sense of immense and indistinct expanses.
Semantic development: - vast and boundless landscape; - dim, indistinct, or hazy; - mental confusion or bewilderment.

망망 (茫茫) — boundless; endless

망연 (茫然) — vague; bewildered

망망대해 (茫茫大海) — the vast, boundless ocean

In literature, 茫 often evokes imagery of limitless landscapes or feelings of uncertainty. The reduplicated form 茫茫 is commonly used to emphasize great vastness or immeasurable distance.
Related characters: 芒 — awn of grain; sharp point 荒 — wild; desolate

渺 — vast; remote

漫 — boundless; overflowing