異 (yì)

different, strange, unusual; foreign; surprising

Etymology

Depicts two hands putting something on top of the head. Based on the original meaning "carry on the head", now written as 戴. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“異,分也。从廾、从畀。畀,予也。”

Original meaning

carry on the head