盥

guàn

水 + 皿 + 𦥑

Definitions

guàn to wash (especially hands)

Etymology

Depicts hands (𦥑) being washed by water (水) with a container (皿) at the bottom for catching water.

About

The character 盥 combines 𦥑 (two hands reaching down), 水 (water), and 皿 (a basin). Arranged with the hands at the top, water flowing between them, and the basin below to catch the runoff, the composition directly illustrates the act of washing one's hands. This original meaning persists today, appearing mainly in formal compounds like 盥洗室 (washroom/lavatory).