慘

cǎn = c + an3

miserable / wretched / cruel / inhuman / disastrous / tragic / dim / gloomy

惨 = 参 + 忄 : The King of Chu (c) decided to take part in a drinking contest in the anthill (an3). There he sits with his bib number (参) on his back making a miserable (惨) impression. To force himself to drink more he hits himself with a flail (忄).

慘 character breakdown

慘
- 參
- 忄

叁

參

sa̅n = s + an1

three (banker's anti-fraud numeral)

参

參

ca̅n = c + an1

to take part in / to participate / to join / to attend / to counsel / unequal / varied / irregular / uneven / not uniform / abbr. for 參議院|参议院 Senate, Upper House

参 = 厶 + 大 + 彡 : Mnemonic symbol: a bib number.

The King of Chu takes part in a marathon starting in front of the anthill, and he already fixed his bib number to his shirt. Right next to him there is a mysterious, huge person fixing their bib number to their shirt. It is a big robot in disguise to be allowed to participate. The robot disguised itself with a fake nose and a long fake Santa Clause beard.

参

參

she̅n = sh + (e)n1

ginseng / one of the 28 constellations

忄

xi̅n = xi + (e)n1

Kangxi radical 61 (心) as a vertical side element

Looks a bit like a flail.

参

參

ce̅n = c + (e)n1

used in 參差|参差[cen1 ci1]