expression, godan verb (-bu)
make peace; conclude peace
Used for formal or diplomatic peace-making, often between groups or nations. The expression is somewhat literary.
両国は長い戦いの末、ついに和を結んだ。
After a long conflict, the two countries finally made peace.
和解する is more common for personal or legal reconciliation, while 和を結ぶ is more formal and often used for groups or nations.
The expression combines 和 (peace, harmony) with 結ぶ (to tie, conclude), literally 'to tie peace'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a classical pattern of formal agreement.