This study analyzes the semantic network of the Chinese character heng (橫, horizontal) based on the comprehensive data from the Hanyu Da Cidian (漢語大詞典), elucidating how the notion of ‘horizontal’ systematically acquired negative connotations in the Chinese language. Through a detailed examination of 31 semantic entries and a complete analysis of 407 compound words incorporating heng, it was found that negative meanings accounted for 51.6%, constituting a majority, while positive meanings represented merely about 10%. Initially referring to a wooden barrier placed horizontally across a doorway, heng evolved metaphorically to denote disorder, suddenness, violence, and reckless decisiveness. This semantic development contrasts sharply with the vertical axis (縱 zong, 經 jing, 直 zhi), which symbolically represents order, centrality, authority, and continuity. Consequently, the horizontal axis became semantically associated with disruption and deviation from established order. Conversely, the English concepts of “horizontal” and “lateral” predominantly carry positive or neutral connotations, embodying metaphors of fairness, equality, and creativity. Such divergences originate from the contrasting cultural contexts: the Chinese sedentary-agricultural civilization strengthened values centered on the vertical axis, whereas Western maritime, nomadic, and contractual traditions affirmed the positive symbolism of horizontal metaphors. In conclusion, the semantic orientation of heng offers linguistic evidence of the vertical-axis-centered thinking inherent in Chinese civilization and exemplifies significant structural differences in conceptual frameworks between Eastern and Western cultures.

本研究以《漢語大詞典》為基礎, 對「橫」之意義網絡進行系統分析, 旨在闡 明漢語中「橫／橫向」如何在歷史演變過程中獲得結構性的負面意涵。研究全面考察 了「橫」之三十一條義項, 以及由「橫」構成之四百零七個複合詞。分析結果顯示, 負面 語義佔比達百分之五十一點六, 超過半數, 而正面用例僅約佔一成左右。「橫」一字原初 源於「橫木」——即橫置於門戶、用以阻斷出入之木構——其後逐步擴展為無序、突 發、暴力與魯莽決斷等語義隱喻。此一語義走向, 乃因縱軸（縱、經、直）在漢語文化 中長期象徵秩序、中心、權威與連續性, 而橫軸則被意義化為對該秩序之阻斷與擾亂之 結果。相對而言, 英語中的 horizontal 與 lateral 多與公平、平等與創造性之隱喻相結合, 其 用法主要呈現為正面或中性。此種差異, 源於中國定居農耕文明對縱軸價值秩序之強化, 與西方海洋、遊牧及契約文化對水平隱喻之正向肯認。總而言之, 「橫」之語義取向構成 了中國文明縱軸中心思維的語言學證據, 亦為揭示東西方文明思維結構差異之重要案例。

1. Introduction
    1.1. Review of Previous Studies
    1.2. Research Methods and Analytical Framework
    1.3. Significance of the Study
2. The Lexicographical Origin and Semantic Expansion of Heng (橫)
    2.1. Lexicographical Origin
    2.2. Evolution of Character Form and Usage in Ancient Texts
    2.3. Pathways of Semantic Expansion
    2.4. Cultural Context and Value Transition
3. Semantic Orientation of Heng (橫) in Hanyu Da Cidian
    3.1. Twenty-three Semantic Entries of Heng: From Spatial Referenceto Social and Moral Meanings
    3.2. Analytical Design: Semantic Oppositional Features and AnnotationPrinciples
    3.3. Quantitative and Qualitative Results of the 407 Heng CompoundWords
    3.4. Co-occurrence Patterns of Semantic Features and Affects, andPaths of Semantic Transition
    3.5. Micro-Analysis: Semantic Structure of Core Vocabulary
    3.6. Trend Analysis: Cultural Imprinting and Semantic Feature Biasof Heng
    3.7. Interim Conclusion: Systematization of ‘Horizontal = Deviation/Unexpectedness’
4. Comparison with Corresponding Concepts in English
    4.1. English Metaphors of Straightness, Verticality, and Morality
    4.2. Horizontal Metaphors in English: Positive and Neutral Connotations
    4.3. Lateral and the Metaphor of Creativity
    4.4. Ambivalence of the Vertical in English
    4.5. Comparative Discussion: Chinese “橫 (heng)” vs. English “horizontal/lateral”
5. Conclusion: Valorization of the ‘Vertical Axis’ in ChineseCivilization—Causes and Significance
    5.1. Negative Bias of the Semantic Network of Heng (橫) and itsImplications
    5.2. Settled Agricultural Civilization and ‘Vertical-Axis’ Thinking
    5.3. Nomadic and Maritime Civilization and Horizontal Metaphors
    5.4. Cognitive Differences Between Eastern and WesternCivilizations
    5.5. Civilizational Implications

• Young-sam HA(Professor of Chinese Studies, Kyungsung University; Director, Korea Research Institute of Chinese Characters, Korea) | 河永三 (慶星大學中國學系教授、韓國漢字研究所所長)