囲 - We've Got a Number of Them Well SURROUNDED

Readings & Meanings:

イ

かこ（−む、−う）

enclose, surround

Common Usage:

囲む

包囲

周囲

Examples:

敵に囲まれて、その兵隊は降伏した。

敵に包囲されて、その兵隊は降伏した。

周囲の目を気にせずに公衆でキスをする。

Translations:

Those soldiers were surrounded by the enemy and surrendered.

Those soldiers were beseiged and encircled by the enemy and surrendered.

Without a care for the surrounding eyes, we kissed in public.

Bonus:

Where have I seen this before? Let's see... The meaning is to enclose, surround... sounds like a board game I know... Oh, that's right! 囲碁だ！

The game of "igo" or "go" in English is played with black and white stones. The purpose is to SURROUND and control the most territory. If you completely enclose your opponent's stones, you take them. The connection to 囲 is obvious.

囲 is one of many "kanji in a box." I like that the box makes sense, here: the box surrounds what's inside. What's that number symbol? 井, which means well (as in water). It also has a pronunciation of い.

Another "box" kanji I can think of off the top of my head is 困, meaning puzzle, annoyed, trouble. It's puzzling how that tree got into that box, but it's definitely in trouble when it starts to grow.

References:

http://www.thejapanesepage.com/kanji/kanji/i.htm