Origin

This character combines the heart radical on the left, which signals an emotion or state of mind, with the component 荒 on the right, which serves as a sound hint for pronunciation. The character literally depicts a state of the heart or mind — specifically the mental confusion and loss of composure that comes with panic or alarm. The pairing of the emotional radical with this particular sound component created a kanji that captures the feeling of being flustered and disconcerted.