About
轭 (simplified) and its traditional form 軛 are phono-semantic compounds representing a wooden yoke for hitching draft animals to a cart or plow. The left semantic component 车/車 indicates a connection to vehicles or carts, while the right component 厥 provides the pronunciation. Originally referring specifically to agricultural and transport equipment, its meaning later broadened metaphorically to include burdens, restraints, or oppressive forces that bind or control individuals.