bridle, restrain, halter

羈 is composed of 网 (net), 革 (leather), and 馬 (horse). 网 is a pictograph of a net, and 革 refers to animal hide used as a halter, both of which can be used to restrict and control the movement of livestock. Among livestock, horses are particularly adept at running and require control. Thus, 羈 originally refers to a horse’s halter, later extending to mean restraint or bondage. Additionally, the 革 in 羈 was originally 糸 (silk, thread), indicating that halters were initially made of silk rope before being replaced with stronger animal hide.