陞

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

阜 (hill; mound) — semantic component, indicating elevation;

𡉼 — phonetic component.

The character conveys the idea of going up a hill, which developed into the general meaning to ascend or rise.

Semantic development:

- to climb a hill;

- to rise upward;

- to be promoted or elevated.

승진 (陞進) — promotion (in rank or position)

상승 (上陞) — rise; increase (rare form; usually 上昇)

陞 is an older or more formal variant, while 升 and 昇 are more commonly used today.

The character is often associated with promotion or elevation in status, especially in classical or formal texts.

Related characters:

升 — to rise; measuring unit

昇 — to rise (especially of the sun)

上 — up; above