階

jie̅ = ji + e1

rank or step / stairs

阶 = 介 + 阝 : The pope (阝) sentenced Joan of Arc (ji) to death and wants to shoot her to outer space using a rocket (介) in front of the elevator (e1). He doesn't have a proper launch ramp, so he just uses some stone stairs (阶).

階 character breakdown

階
- 皆
  - 比
    - 七
      - 一
      - 乚
    - 匕
      - 丿
      - 乚
  - 白
    - 丶
    - 日
      - 一
      - 囗
- 阝

皆

jie̅ = ji + e1

all / each and every / in all cases

皆 = 比 + 白 : Joan of Arc (ji) wants to be known by everyone (皆). To make sure to reach her goal she wears a bikini (比) in front of the elevator (e1) and inspects herself in a hand mirror (白).

阝

Character component without intrinsic meaning

When on the left hand side of any character, it's the pope, but when it's on the right hand side of any character, it's the emperor.