順

A phono-semantic compound composed of:

頁 (머리 혈) — semantic component, symbolizing the head or face, hence representing direction or submission of the mind.

川 (내 천) — phonetic component, indicating the sound shùn / sun and visually evoking flowing water.

Originally, 順 described the smooth flow of a river and by analogy came to mean to go with the flow, to yield, to comply naturally.

The association between water flowing smoothly and human behavior flowing harmoniously made it a key moral metaphor in classical Chinese.

순응 (順應) — adaptation; compliance

순조 (順調) — smooth progress

순서 (順序) — order; sequence

순리 (順理) — reasonableness; accordance with nature or logic

순종 (順從) — obedience

역순 (逆順) — order and disorder; reverse order

In Korean, 順 commonly conveys ideas of harmony, smooth progression, and moral propriety, contrasting with 逆 (역) “to go against.”

The concept of 順 (shùn) lies at the heart of both Confucian moral order and Daoist natural philosophy, though interpreted differently by each tradition.

In Confucian Thought — “Harmony Through Obedience”

In Confucian ethics, 順 signifies moral compliance and respectful harmony within the social and cosmic hierarchy.

To “be 순(順)” means not mere passivity, but the voluntary alignment of one’s heart (心) with the proper order of things (理).

The highest expression is 孝順 (효순 / xiàoshùn) — filial piety and obedient devotion to one’s parents.

Here, 順 represents graceful submission — not servility, but the cultivation of inner calm and respect that maintains family and societal harmony.

Other classical phrases include:

逆來順受 (역래순수) — “When adversity comes, receive it with calm acceptance.”

順天者昌，逆天者亡 — “He who follows Heaven prospers; he who defies it perishes.”

In this sense, 順 embodies the virtue of adapting one’s will to righteousness (義), harmonizing personal desire with moral duty.

In Daoist Thought — “Flowing with the Way (道)”

For Daoists, 順 transcends social obedience and instead reflects cosmic alignment with the Dao (道) — the natural flow of the universe.

To 順其自然 (순기자연) means “to follow what is natural,” allowing life to unfold spontaneously without forcing outcomes.

This interpretation of 順 emphasizes yielding softness over rigid resistance — echoing Laozi’s words:

「上善若水。水善利萬物而不爭。」

“The highest goodness is like water — it benefits all things and does not contend.”

Thus, 順 becomes a principle of inner peace and effortless harmony, achieved not through domination but through understanding and flexibility.

Both interpretations share the idea that true harmony comes not from resistance, but from attunement — whether to moral law or to the rhythm of nature.

In Korean and Chinese Culture

In Korean idioms and Chinese proverbs alike, 順 often connotes smooth progress, favorable destiny, and peace of mind:

순리대로 살다 (順理) - “to live according to reason or natural order.”

順風 (순풍) - “favorable wind; smooth sailing.”

順心 (순심) - “peace of heart.”

Across East Asia, 順 therefore remains one of the most cherished symbols of balance, obedience, and serene adaptation — embodying the wisdom of following the current rather than fighting against it.