229) 八

ba

eight; 8

Shaped as two matching lines in opposite, means to divide. Currently means number 8, derived from a number that can be continuously divided(八).

229ax) 亠

tou

229a) 六

liu

six; 6

Originally meant a shape of house with ceiling (亠) and pillars (八), but later became to mean number 6.

229yx) 刀

dao

229y-119a*) 分

fen

divide; minute

divide/eight 八²²⁹[bā] + knife 刀 [dāo]

To divide in half (八) with a knife (刀). A ‘minute’ is a division of time, and ‘fen’ is the smallest denomination of Chinese currency. (1分 = 1/100元 = 1/10角)

229b) 曾

ceng

once; already

eight 丷→八 [bā] + stacked dual pot steamer  [symbol]

an act of steam-vaporising (八) from the top of a dual-pot steamer which consists of a water-boiling pot (曰) on bottom and a holed steam-receiving pot (symbol) on top. Doubles as meaning of “at early” or “already” as the water is already boiling once steams are shooting out from top.

229zx) 土

tu

229z-152e*) 增

zeng

increase

soil 土 [tǔ] + stacked dual pot steamer/once 曾^229b[céng]

Signifies act of sealing the seams using clay (土) between two steaming pots (曾) to increase its heat efficiency.