上班

Why does 上班 look like this?

上 (shàng) means 'up' or 'to start,' and 班 (bān) represents a 'shift' or 'group.' Combined, it literally means 'to go up to one's shift.' 班 consists of two 𤣩 (jade) pieces on the sides and 刂 (knife) in the middle, symbolizing dividing jade into groups or shifts.