鬱 (yù)

Etymology

Depicts a person (大) trampling another person (勹), who is depressed, in a forest (林). 鬯 (sacrificial wine) was later added to the character since the meaning later extended to "sweet smelling".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》：“鬱，木叢生者。从林，省聲。”

Components

• 林 (iconic)
• 大 (iconic) — Depicts a person trampling. Modern form looks like unrelated 缶.
• 勹 (iconic) — Here used to depict a depressed person being trampled. Modern form looks like unrelated 冖.
• 鬯 (meaning) — This component was later added since the meaning of this character extended to "sweet smelling".