字形分析Character Analysis:
会意字。从囗( wéi )，从大。大，人。甲骨文字形，象人在车席子上。本义:“茵”的本字，坐垫，车垫。
因 is a Pictogram in Oracle Bone Inscriptions, formed from two pieces, symbolizing a person lying flat on the mat or cushion of a carriage. The inside component of 大 (dà, literally means big, great) stands for a person (人 rén), and the outside part of 囗for a mat or cushion.
本义Original meaning:
坐垫，车垫 straw mat or cushion on a carriage used for people sitting or resting on
Lily explains 因 like this:
因 is among the very frequently used characters in modern Chinese. From its original meaning, 因 has initially developed a modern meaning of item which is to rely on, depend on, or according to. For example, 因人成事 (yīn rén chéng shì, accomplish sth. through the help of others), and 因材施教 (yīn cái shī jiào, teach according to what the student is good at; teach students in accordance with their aptitude)
