evil, demonic

邪 is composed of 牙 (tooth) and the radical 邑 (city). 牙 depicts two interlocking canine teeth. Canine teeth are sharp, and in order for them to close properly the two teeth must be positioned one in front of the other, which extends to the meaning of deviation or being off-center. 邑 means a state or a city and refers to geographical location. Therefore, the original meaning of 邪 is a place that is slanted or not upright, and later it came to denote improper thoughts or behavior.