split, rend, tear
裂 centers on forceful separation: splitting, rending, or tearing something apart. The idea applies to physical tearing as well as figurative splitting.
裂 combines 列 (arrange, line up) with 衣 (clothing). The original idea likely involves cloth being torn or split along a line or seam.
The top 列 suggests a line or row, and the bottom 衣 is clothing. Imagine a piece of cloth being torn along a line: 裂 means to split or tear.
For レツ, picture a piece of cloth being torn with a sharp 'rets' sound: rets -> レツ, and the fabric splits along the line.
split; division; break up
bursting; rupture; explosion
to split; to tear; to burst; to be separated; to be divided
to tear; to rip up
violent explosion; bursting
crack; crevice; fissure; chap; rift
exploding
to cut up; to split open; to rip to pieces; to tear to pieces
breakdown (of talks, negotiations, etc.); breaking off; rupture
incoherent; inconsistent; illogical; disorderly; confused; nonsensical
tear; rip; rent; slit; crack; chasm; rift
nuclear fission
tearing limb from limb; tearing apart; cutting (a person) to pieces
to tear up; to tear off; to rip up; to tear to pieces
laceration
schizophrenia
rip; tear
being torn to pieces
cracks in drying lumber
breakdown of negotiations