The kanji 左 (hidari) primarily represents "left" or "the left side." It denotes the direction opposite of "right" and can also refer to things located on the left. It is a fundamental directional character.

・On-yomi (音読み): サ (sa) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): 左 (hidari)

⚫︎ 左手 (hidarite) Translation: Left hand ⚫︎ 左側 (hidarigawa) Translation: Left side ⚫︎ 左右 (sayuu) Translation: Left and right; both sides

The kanji 左 is a pictograph. It depicts a hand (represented by the top part) and a tool or implement, originally a hand assisting in holding something. The hand symbolizes the left hand, and over time, the character evolved to represent the direction "left." The original shape was closer to a hand with a tool. The top part looks like a hand, and the bottom part now has a resemblance to the letter "工".