secret

秘 is composed of 禾 (grain) and 必. The 禾 component should originally have been 示, but because the small seal script forms of the two characters are extremely similar, they were confused and the error has been transmitted down to the present. 示 refers to the deities or spirits, while 必 conveys the idea of tightly gripping the wooden handle of a dagger-axe and carries the sense of holding firmly without letting go. Therefore, 秘 conveys the idea of a divine oracle that is not casually revealed. In ancient times, oracles were regarded as the will of the gods and were usually monopolized by specific religious personnel; their transmission, interpretation, and recording were all subject to strict restrictions and rituals.