The kanji 午 primarily represents "noon," specifically the time of day when the sun is at its highest point. It can also refer to "the horse," which is the animal associated with this time of day in the traditional Chinese zodiac.

・On-yomi (音読み): ゴ ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): うま

⚫︎午前 (ごぜん) Translation: A.M. (ante meridiem, before noon) ⚫︎正午 (しょうご) Translation: Noon ⚫︎午年 (うまどし) Translation: The Year of the Horse (in the Chinese zodiac)

The kanji 午 is a pictograph. Originally, it depicted a pestle and mortar, representing the action of pounding grain at the midday meal. Over time, the form evolved and became associated with the time of noon and, subsequently, the horse in the Chinese zodiac.