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Hanja of Friendship

10 characters

In Eastern thought, friendship (朋友) is the last of the Five Relations (五倫) — the deepest non-family bond. From the Analects ("Is it not delightful when friends come from afar?") to Zhuangzi ("A gentleman's friendship is plain as water"), 10 hanja tracing the textures of friendship.

友
우 벗

Two hands clasped — the essence of friendship.

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朋
붕 벗

Two moons (月) side by side — two equals.

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信
신 믿을

Person (人) + word (言) — who keeps promises becomes friend.

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義
의 옳을

Sheep (羊) + I (我) — giving oneself like a sheep, the spirit of loyalty.

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交
교 사귈

Two people seated facing each other with crossed legs — the original form of meeting.

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親
친 친할

To stand (立) and watch (見) like a tree (木) — closeness itself.

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助
조 도울

Strength (力) added to a base (且) — the hand offered when one falls short.

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伴
반 짝

Person (人) + half (半) — becoming one half, walking together.

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誼
의 정

Speech (言) + proper (宜) — the words and heart one rightly shares.

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同
동 한가지

One mouth (口) under one roof (冂) — a comrade walking the same path.

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