奏
zoù · HSK 6
to play music
🎵 zoù ~ zoo: animals perform, musicians play
Three strokes press down onto 天 (heaven) — delivering something upward. Playing music and presenting memorials both mean performing for someone above you.
奏 — hands 廾 lifting offering 夭 + 丰 (sheaf)
Originally a pictograph showing two hands respectfully presenting an offering or sheaf upward, often interpreted as presenting music or tribute to a ruler. From this ceremonial sense it came to mean 'to play (music),' 'to present (a memorial to the throne),' and by extension 'to achieve' or 'accomplish.'