The word 积极 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core conceptual idea that merges into an abstract meaning. The first character, 积 (jī), originally picturing a stack of grain, carries the fundamental sense of "to accumulate" or "to gather". The second, 极 (jí), derived from the image of a roof ridgepole as the highest point, means "utmost" or "extreme". When joined, the compound metaphorically conveys the idea of "accumulating [energy or effort] to the utmost point", which naturally evolved to signify a proactive, energetic, and positive attitude or stance.