规 (guī)

variant of 規|规[gui1]

Etymology

Simplified form of 規. Depicts a kind of drawing tool for drawing circles with. The 见 (see) component was later added to suggest watching something being drawn. Based on the original meaning "compass; a kind of drawing tool", now written as 椝. The meaning has shifted over time and now means "rules".

Original meaning

compass; a kind of drawing tool

Components