魔

Phono-semantic compound:

鬼 (귀, ghost, demon) — semantic component, indicating a supernatural/spirit being

麻 (마, hemp) — phonetic component

Originally created in Chinese Buddhism as a transcription for Māra (마라, 魔羅), the demon that obstructs enlightenment.

Both 麻 and 鬼 can function as radicals, but by convention the semantic element 鬼 is taken as the radical.

魔鬼 (마귀) — demon, devil

魔法 (마법) — magic, sorcery

惡魔 (악마) — evil spirit, satan, demon

魔術 (마술) — magic, conjuring trick

惡魔的 (악마적) — demonic, devilish

First attested: Northern Wei dynasty (mid-6th century), in the inscription 《邑主敬造石像碑文》 (548 CE).

In Buddhism, 魔 (Māra) represents forces that obstruct meditation and enlightenment.

In Daoism and Chinese folk belief, it refers more generally to demons, malevolent spirits, or destructive energies.

In modern East Asian languages, 魔 is used metaphorically for obsession, temptation, or overwhelming power (e.g., 魔力 “magical power,” 魔性 “demonic nature”).