Origin

This character combines a metal radical on the left with a sound hint on the right. The metal radical suggests something made of metal or relating to metalwork, which fits with how heavy metal tools or weights were historically used to hold things firmly in place. The right component provides a sound hint for the pronunciation without contributing to the meaning. Together, the character developed the sense of something that pins down or stabilizes, which expanded to mean tranquilizing or establishing peace, since both involve creating stability and preventing disturbance.