Depicts using a staff (丂) for striking. Based on the original meaning "to strike", now written as 抨. The meaning later shifted to "level", "even", and "flat".
Shuowen Jiezi
《說文》:“平,語平舒也。从亏,从八。八,分也。”
Original meaning
to strike
Components
◎(iconic) — Depicts the moving motion of striking.