司

An associative compound:

Based on the form of 后 (“sovereign, ruler”), inverted and simplified.

Originally depicted a person in authority with mouth/commands, denoting oversight, responsibility, and official functions.

Thus, 司 came to mean “to be in charge of, to supervise, to administer.”

司令 (사령) — commander; command

司法 (사법) — judicial, administration of justice

司會 (사회) — master of ceremonies; moderator

司直 (사직) — to uphold justice, “guardian of law”

御史大司 (어사대사) — a high official overseeing inspections in classical administration

In ancient China, 司 was frequently used in official titles, indicating the person responsible for a specific duty (e.g., 司徒, 司馬, 司空 — the Three Excellencies).

The character conveys both the sense of responsibility and the official position tied to it.

㟃 (used for a mountain name, also pronounced sa).