The story of 蠱

poison, bewitch

蟲 is composed of three虫(insert) and皿(a dish, container), which depicts the breeding of venomous insert. According to ancient Chinese legend, the ethnic minority in south-western China like to put several venomous inserts into an enclosed container, those inserts kill then eat each other, the survivor become the most venomous and will be used as poison. Therefore, besides venomous insect, 蠱 also means a kind of witchcraft.