The word 祈求 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 祈, pictorially originates from ideas of prayer and solemn invocation, often involving an altar. The second, 求, fundamentally means to seek, ask for, or strive to obtain. When placed together, they visually and semantically merge the act of solemn, often spiritual or humble, prayer (祈) with the active pursuit of a desired outcome (求), resulting in a compound that conveys the profound sense of "to earnestly pray for" or "to beseech".