往
wǎng · HSK 2
go toward
➡️ 往 = 彳 (step) + 王-ish phonetic; means go toward a place
The 彳 radical on the left marks motion or walking, and the right side gives the sound. So 往 wǎng = movement directed toward somewhere, as in 往北 (toward the north) or 往日 (days gone by).
往 — 彳 (step radical) + 主 (phonetic)
往 originally depicted a foot moving toward a place, with the 彳 radical signaling motion or walking. The right component 主 served mainly as a phonetic clue. Over time the meaning settled into 'to go (toward)' and, by extension, 'past' or 'previously'.