The story of 教

teach

教 is composed of 孝 and 攵 (a hand holding a cane). From the origin of this character, 孝 should be 爻 and 子 before, then changed to 孝, such change showed the evolution of ancient Chinese education, from the belief of supreme being to the concern of ethic and human relation. A hand holding a cane means urging, if a kid is too naughty, physical punishment is needed.