The kanji character 反 generally conveys the idea of "opposite," "against," "reverse," "rebel," or "anti-". It often implies a reaction, a turning back, or something being the other way around.

・On-yomi (音読み): ハン (han) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): そ(る) (soru - to curve, to bend), たが(う) (tagau - to be against, to disobey)

⚫︎ 反対 (hantai) Translation: Opposite; opposition ⚫︎ 反省 (hansei) Translation: Reflection; self-examination ⚫︎ 反物 (tanmono) Translation: bolt of cloth

The kanji 反 is a pictograph. It originally depicted a hand 又 holding a person's back 卩. This represented turning someone or something over. The character evolved over time, and the "hand" and "person" elements became simplified. The original meaning relates to turning over, and this sense gave rise to the meanings of "reverse," "against," and "rebel."