carry by hand
挈 centers on lifting and carrying something by hand, emphasizing a firm grip and manual transport.
挈 combines 㓞 (which itself contains 刀 and 土) with 手 (hand), suggesting a hand gripping or carving something. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the structure points to manual action.
The hand 手 at the bottom supports the top part 㓞, like a hand firmly holding a tool or object. Imagine lifting a heavy carved stone by hand.
For ケイ, picture carrying a heavy cake by hand: cake -> ケイ, and your hand is underneath supporting it.