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The character 戒 originally depicted two hands (廾) holding a battle-axe (戈), symbolizing vigilance and warning against danger. In ancient China, it represented the concept of caution, admonition, and prohibition. Over time, it evolved to its modern form while retaining its core meaning of warning or putting someone on guard. The character conveys both the idea of military preparedness and moral discipline, as seen in words like 警戒 (vigilance) and 戒める (to admonish). Arrived in Japan: The character 戒 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the introduction of Chinese writing system and Buddhism. It appears in early Japanese texts like the Kojiki (712 CE) and Manyoshu (8th century), and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji character, retaining its original meanings of warning, prohibition, and Buddhist precepts.