元 - beginning, former time, origin

close to the ear

originator; pioneer; inventor; founder

home area; home town

at one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step")

restoration; return

sovereign; ruler; head of state

dimension

at hand; on hand; nearby; close at hand

restoration (to the original state or location); reconstruction; restitution

ringleader; main culprit

renminbi (currency of China); Chinese yuan

New Year's Day