to support / to prop up / to push or move with a pole / to maintain / to open or unfurl / to fill to bursting point / brace / stay / support
撑
=
扌
+
掌
:
Charlie Chaplin (ch) is bracing (撑) himself for his next battle in front of the engine ((e)ng1). He supports (撑) his feet with horseshoes (掌) and holds a toy claw (扌) in each hand.
stick / pole / lever / classifier for long objects such as guns
杆
=
干
+
木
:
Guy Fawkes (g) is putting up Christmas decorations in the anthill (an3). He is using a stick (杆) to put dried fruits (干) on top of the Christmas tree (木).