The kanji 肇 primarily conveys the meaning of "to begin," "to initiate," or "to start." It implies the commencement of something, whether it be an action, a process, or an era. It suggests a foundational moment or the inception of something new.

・On-yomi (音読み): ちょう (chou) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): はじ（まる） (hajima(ru)) - to begin, はじ（める） (hajime(ru)) - to start

⚫︎ 肇国（ちょうこく） Translation: founding a nation; the beginning of a nation. ⚫︎ 肇業（ちょうぎょう） Translation: to start a business; the beginning of an enterprise. ⚫︎ 肇端（ちょうたん） Translation: the beginning; the origin.

Unfortunately, reliable sources detailing the specific pictorial origin and historical development of the kanji 肇 are not readily available. The character's components and evolution are not widely documented or commonly discussed.