compass, rule, plan

規 is composed of a variant of 聿 (brush) and 見 (see). 聿 depicts a hand holding a bamboo brush for writing, while 見 portrays a person with wide-open eyes. Drawing a circle is difficult, requiring keen observation to ensure accuracy, as represented by 規. The original meaning of 規 is a tool for drawing circles, later extending to mean planning or regulation. Additionally, many people in the past mistakenly thought the left side of 規 was 夫 (man) and interpreted 規 as "what an adult male sees," which is completely incorrect.