封 (Fēng)

Etymology

Depicts using hands (寸) to cultivate plants (丰). Based on the original meaning "create a boundary with plants". The meaning later shifted to "divide off", "seal", and "letter".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“封，爵諸矦之土也。从之，从土，从寸，守其制度也。公侯百里，伯七十里，子男五十里。，古文封省。，籀文从。”

Original meaning

create a boundary with plants

Components

• 寸 (iconic) — Depicts a hand.
• 丰 (sound, iconic) — Depicts a plant growing in the ground.