轘
tear asunder between chariots
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- カン
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- くるまざき
Meaning
轘 refers to a brutal ancient punishment of tearing a person apart between chariots. Its meaning is specific and historical, with no common modern extensions.
Study
Etymology
轘 combines 車 (chariot) with 睘, which likely contributes the sound. The character was created to name a specific punishment involving chariots.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a chariot 車, and the right side 睘 looks like a person being stretched. Imagine a person tied between two chariots, about to be torn apart.
Reading mnemonic
For カン, picture a can being torn apart by two chariots: can -> カン, and the can rips asunder.