Origin

This character depicts a bundle of plants or trees growing densely together. The middle section shows layered vegetation, while the surrounding strokes represent leaves and branches packed closely. From this image of thick, tangled growth that blocks light and movement, the meaning expanded to include the feeling of being trapped or blocked emotionally—that sense of gloom and depression when things feel crowded and suffocating. The luxuriant sense comes directly from the original picture of abundant, dense plant growth.