蓄

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

艸 (풀 초) — semantic component, indicating vegetation, growth, or accumulation.

畜 (가축 축) — phonetic component, meaning “to raise, to breed, to store,” which also contributes to the sense of keeping or nourishing.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「蓄，聚也。从艸，畜聲。」

“蓄 means to gather or accumulate; composed of 艸 (grass) and 畜 (phonetic).”

The composition thus suggests “to gather and keep, as one stores crops or forage for animals.”

Semantic development:

Literal: to collect and store (e.g., grain, water, goods).

Metaphorical: to retain or nourish (energy, emotion, virtue).

Moral and intellectual: to cultivate within, to store learning or virtue for future use.

Hence, 蓄 evolved from the agricultural idea of storing crops to the philosophical idea of preserving inner potential.

蓄積 (축적) — accumulation, amassing wealth or knowledge

蓄電 (축전) — electric storage, accumulation of energy

蓄水 (축수) — water storage, reservoir

貯蓄 (저축) — saving, storing up

蓄意 (축의) — deliberate, intentional (lit. “stored intention”)

蓄髮 (축발) — growing one’s hair (as in mourning custom)

In Confucian and Daoist literature, 蓄 signifies inner restraint and preparation — to gather inwardly before outward expression.

《中庸》(The Doctrine of the Mean):

「博學而篤志，切問而近思，仁在其中矣。蓄之久而發之，則無不利矣。」

“To learn broadly and hold one’s aim firmly, to inquire closely and reflect deeply — benevolence lies therein. When one has stored (蓄) it long and releases it, there will be nothing that does not succeed.”

《孟子》(Mencius, 告子下):

「蓄力而發，不可勝用也。」

“If one stores up strength and then releases it, it will be inexhaustible.”

Here, 蓄 symbolizes the accumulation of inner power before action — an image often used in Confucian self-cultivation.

In moral cultivation, 蓄 represents hidden strength and quiet preparation — a virtue opposed to rashness.

In Buddhism, 蓄 may symbolize accumulation of merit or wisdom (蓄福, 蓄慧), reflecting steady spiritual growth.

Symbolic interpretation:

蓄 embodies the principle of quiet strength and hidden preparation.

It teaches that what is stored patiently becomes power when released, just as water gathered forms a river or virtue stored forms wisdom.

「蓄之以時，用之以度，則無往不利。」

“Store in due time, use with measure — and there will be no endeavor without success.”

Thus, 蓄 stands for prudence, foresight, and disciplined preparation, whether in wealth, knowledge, or spirit.

From ancient granaries to modern batteries, and from 蓄積 (accumulation) to 貯蓄 (saving), it remains the symbol of quiet strength gathered for right use.