The kanji 支 primarily conveys the idea of "to support," "to prop up," "to hold up," or "to branch out." It implies providing assistance, backing, or sustaining something. It can also relate to branches or subdivisions.

・On-yomi (音読み): シ (shi) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): ささ-える (sasa-eru) - to support, to hold up

⚫︎支持（しじ） Translation: support; backing; endorsement ⚫︎支店（してん） Translation: branch office; branch store ⚫︎支える（ささえる） Translation: to support; to hold; to prop up

The kanji 支 is a pictograph. The original form depicted a hand (represented by a horizontal line) holding up a branch (represented by the vertical and diagonal lines). This illustrates the concept of support or holding something up. Over time, the character evolved to its current form. The lines came to be simplified. The core meaning of support and branches remain.