The character 控 originally depicted the action of pulling a horse's reins or an accusation meant to restrain someone, carrying a sense of restraint and guidance. The character 制 conveys the idea of cutting to shape, regulation, and systemic order, as seen in its use in words for systems and manufacture. When combined, 控制 conceptually merges these two actions: the first character provides the notion of holding or restraining, while the second adds the dimension of shaping, regulating, and mastering according to a system. Together, they form a cohesive idea of exercising command by both restraining and directing, like one hand holding something in check and the other hand shaping its course, ultimately creating the comprehensive meaning of "to control".