The kanji ［影］ generally represents "shadow," "reflection," or "image." It can refer to the dark area cast by an object blocking light, or more figuratively, to a trace or influence. It embodies the concept of something being indirectly present or visible, often a secondary or less substantial manifestation of a thing. It suggests an absence of light in certain parts, and the outline of an object.

・On-yomi (音読み): エイ (ei) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): かげ (kage)

⚫︎ 影［影］絵 (kagee) Translation: Silhouette; shadow picture ⚫︎ 光と影［影］ (hikari to kage) Translation: Light and shadow ⚫︎ 面影［影］ (omokage) Translation: Reminiscence; trace; image (of a person)

The kanji ［影］ is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). The semantic component is 景 (kei), which originally depicted the sun shining on a landscape. The phonetic component is 京 (kyou), added to give a sound to the character. Therefore, it is a visual representation of how the light creates an image/shadow. It evolved from the idea of the sun influencing the land. Over time, the meaning shifted to emphasize the result of light being blocked and producing a shadow.