secret

祕 is composed of the radical 示 (altar) and 必 (must). 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, 祕 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.