The kanji 由 primarily conveys the idea of "reason," "cause," or "origin." It suggests the source from which something comes or the basis upon which something is founded. It also implies a pathway or the route something takes.

・On-yomi (音読み): ユウ (yuu) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): よし (yoshi) - as in the word 由(よし)とする (yoshi to suru) which means "to approve" or "to consider acceptable."

⚫︎ 理由(りゆう) Translation: Reason, cause ⚫︎ 経由(けいゆ) Translation: Via, by way of ⚫︎ 自由(じゆう) Translation: Freedom, liberty (literally "self-caused," or "by one's own reason")

The kanji 由 is a pictograph. It depicts a container, vessel, or jar from which something is poured out. The lines at the bottom may represent liquid flowing out. This visual representation evolved to symbolize the source or origin of something, the point from which something begins, or the reason behind something. Over time, the form became simplified into its current shape.