鎖

Phono-semantic compound consisting of:

金 (쇠 금) — semantic component, representing metal or objects made of metal.

𧴪 (자잘할 쇄) — phonetic component, providing the sound swae and implying fine, minute, intricate details.

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「鎖，連金也。从金，𧴪聲。」

“鎖 means joined metal links. Composed of 金 (metal) and the sound 𧴪.”

Hence, the character originally referred to a series of connected metal rings, the physical chain (鏈) used for binding or securing.

Over time, the meaning broadened to include the act of locking — fastening with a chain or mechanism.

Semantic development:

In early usage, 鎖 denoted a metal chain used for fastening doors, gates, or armor.

As locking mechanisms developed, the word naturally expanded to mean lock in general, both noun and verb.

During the Tang and Song periods, 鎖 acquired metaphorical value in literature:

- to confine or restrict (e.g., 鎖心, “to lock one’s heart”);

- to seal away or enclose (e.g., 鎖國, “to close off the country”);

- to fix securely (e.g., 鎖定, “to lock in a position or decision”).

In classical and modern idioms alike, 鎖 also carries figurative meanings such as to restrain, to enclose, or to seal off information or emotion.

鎖匙 (쇄시) — key (lit. “lock-tool”)

鎖鏈 (쇄련) — chain, metal links

鎖頭 (쇄두) — padlock

封鎖 (봉쇄) — blockade; to seal off

密鎖 (밀쇄) — tightly locked

鎖國 (쇄국) — national seclusion, isolation policy (historical term for Japan’s sakoku)

鎖定 (쇄정) — to lock in, to secure firmly

開鎖 (개쇄) — to unlock

In literature and moral philosophy, 鎖 frequently symbolizes restriction and attachment — both physical and psychological.

While metal chains physically restrain, the metaphorical chain binds desire, emotion, or ignorance.

「情鎖不開。」

“The chain of emotion cannot be undone.”

In Buddhist and Daoist writings, 鎖 often appears in discussions of liberation — to break the chains (破鎖) is to attain freedom from worldly attachments.

「破鎖出塵，方得自在。」

“Only by breaking the chain and leaving the dust (world) does one attain true freedom.”

Thus, 鎖 became a rich symbol: representing both security and confinement, safety and bondage.

Symbolic interpretation:

鎖, composed of metal (金) and complexity (𧴪), represents crafted restraint — human control over access and freedom.

It conveys a dual symbolism:

Protection and security, guarding what is valuable.

Restriction and bondage, denying freedom or openness.

In poetry, this duality often appears as paradox:

「鎖門避世，心亦為鎖。」

“Locking the door to avoid the world, the heart itself becomes locked.”

Thus, 鎖 captures the human condition of seeking safety while yearning for freedom.

Across classical and modern contexts, it represents both protection and constraint — the human craft of control over movement and truth.