規 (guī)

rules, regulations, customs, law

Etymology

Depicts a kind of drawing tool for drawing circles with. The 見 (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 槼. The meaning has shifted over time and now means "rules".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“規,有法度也。从夫,从見。”

Original meaning

compass; a kind of drawing tool

Components