开天辟地 (kāi tiān pì dì) — (idiom) to split heaven and earth apart — from the Pangu creation myth; (figurative) to create something unprecedented; earth-shattering, epoch-making

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 開; 开 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 開 shows 廾, a pair of hands, and 一, a latch or pole, inside 門, a door: hands opening a latched door. The simplified 开 is a shorthand form, so its parts are not the original pieces.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The shape comes from a frontal standing man 大 with a head; 天 pairs 大 with 丁 for sound.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The early form of 辟 pairs a kneeling person 卩 with a sickle-like tool 䇂, for administering, regulating, or punishing.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

地 is built from 土 (earth) and 也, which gives its sound.