鑑

Derived from 監 (“to look at, to oversee”), which originally meant “to observe carefully.”

As a phono-semantic compound:

• 金 (“metal”) — semantic element, indicating a metallic object.

• 監 (gam / jiàn) — phonetic element, also contributing meaning (“to observe”).

Thus, 鑑 means “a metal object for looking” - a mirror, reflection.

鑑賞 (감상) — to appreciate, to enjoy (art, literature)

鑑定 (감정) — appraisal, expert evaluation

借鑑 (차감) — to draw lessons from, to take as reference

通鑑 (통감) — comprehensive mirror (historical chronicle)

自省自鑑 (자성자감) — self-reflection and self-examination

In East Asia, mirror (鑑) became a metaphor for history as a reflective surface — studying the past to guide the present.

This meaning inspired several famous history books:

• 資治通鑑 (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), compiled by Sima Guang (Northern Song).

• 資治通鑑綱目 (Outline and Details of the Comprehensive Mirror), abridged by Zhu Xi (Southern Song).

• 東國通鑑 (Comprehensive Mirror of the Eastern State), compiled by Seo Geo-jeong (Joseon Korea).

The phrase “以史為鑑” (이사위감) — “take history as a mirror” — expresses the idea of learning from the past to avoid repeating mistakes.

鑒 — alternate form with 金 below 監.

In Taiwan: 鑑 = “mirror,” 鑒 = “to warn, to take heed.”

In Mainland China: 鑒 was chosen as the standard traditional form; simplified into 鉴.

鑑 (older form) survives but is less common in Chinese standards.