桓

marking post

Strokes10

Readings

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桓 centers on a wooden post used for marking or as a pillar, specifically a marking post.

桓 combines 木 (tree/wood) with 亘, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to a wooden post or pillar used as a marker.

The left side is a tree 木, and the right side 亘 looks like a post extending across. Picture a wooden marking post standing firmly in the ground.

For カン, imagine a can placed on top of a wooden marking post: can -> カン, and the post marks the spot.