申 (Shēn)

old name for Shanghai 上海[Shang4 hai3]; surname Shen

Etymology

Depicts a lightning bolt. Based on the original meaning "lightning". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“申,神也。七月,陰气成,體自申束。从臼,自持也。吏臣餔時聽事,申旦政也。,古文申。,籀文申。”

Original meaning

lightning