The kanji 后 primarily means "empress," "queen," or "the person behind the ruler". It often refers to the wife of the emperor or the female ruler. The character represents the position and role of the empress in the imperial court. The meaning can extend to refer to "the person who follows" or "the one supporting" someone.

・On-yomi (音読み): こう (kō) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): きさき (kisaki)

⚫︎皇后 (こうごう) Translation: Empress ⚫︎后宮 (こうきゅう) Translation: Imperial palace (where the empress and other imperial women reside) ⚫︎王后 (おうごう) Translation: Queen (in a kingdom)

The kanji 后 is an ideogrammic character. It is said to be derived from the form of a kneeling woman, representing a person of high status, especially the empress or queen. The character's form has evolved over time, but the underlying meaning of a woman of nobility or someone who supports a ruler remains consistent.