函 (hán)

Etymology

Pictograph of an arrow inside a quiver. Based on the original meaning "quiver, arrow case". The meaning later shifted to "case", "box", "envelop" and "letter".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“圅，舌也。象形，舌體。从，亦聲。肣，俗圅从肉、今。”

Original meaning

quiver, arrow case

Components

• ◎ (iconic) — Depicts an inverted arrow.
• 凵 (iconic) — Used here to depict a quiver.