detest, hatred

憎 is composed of the radical 心 (heart) and 曾 (once). 心 represents a person's emotional state, while 曾 is a pictograph of a steamer pot. When food is being steamed, heat and vapor continuously rise within a sealed space; though the heat may not appear violent on the surface, it steadily builds up, simmering and stifling the contents within. This mirrors deep-seated resentment and hatred—an intense, simmering feeling stored inside the heart—which is why 憎 was formed to denote detestation, abhorrence, or hatred.