proper, suitable

宜 originally depicted the scene of dividing meat into two equal portions on a chopping board, conveying the idea of equal division or appropriate amount, and later extended to mean suitable or proper. The character 宜 was later changed to be composed of 宀(house) and 且(and, yet). 宀 represents a house or family, while 且 is the pictograph of a chopping board and indicates division; thus it conveys the idea of dividing family property. Family property must be divided appropriately to prevent conflicts and bloodshed among relatives.