Origin

This character combines bamboo on top as a sound hint for the pronunciation, and a horse below. The horse component doesn't literally mean "horse" here — instead, it contributes to the overall sense of something solid and steadfast. The combination suggests a quality that is firm and deeply rooted, like bamboo, yet also strong and reliable like a horse. Over time, this image of something stable and unwavering came to express the meanings of fervent devotion, kindness, and serious dedication. The character thus pictures not an object but an idea: the quality of being thoroughly committed and dependable.