章
ショウ, あき, あきら, あや, ふみ

badge, chapter, composition, poem, design

JLPT2 G3 S11 F990

The relevant bronzeware inscription form is 辛 needle/cutting tool + an element# combining a crossing mark and a circle (= a particular pattern) → *mark*/tattoo a slave using a sharp instrument (compare 艮 and 妾) → *sentence*; *chapter*; (musical) *movement*; *counter* (for sentences, poems, regulations etc.) (← marking elements) → *rule*; *clear* (← clear rules for marking). The mark/tattoo was conceived of as rising from the skin, and "rise" is the concept most often conveyed by 章 in derivative characters. A seal inscription form alters the components to 音 and 十, these eventually morphing into 立 + 早.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]