先
xiān · HSK 1
before
⏪ 先 = 之 (go) on top of 儿 (legs) — feet moving ahead first
Old form shows a foot/footprint above a person, meaning one who steps out ahead. Used in 先生 (xiānsheng, teacher/mister, lit. born-earlier) and 首先 (shǒuxiān, firstly).
先 — 𠂉 (person variant) on top + 儿 (legs) below
先 originally depicted a person with a foot or step shown above the legs 儿, suggesting someone walking ahead. From this image of going before others came the meanings 'first,' 'earlier,' and 'ahead.' The modern shape preserves the 'legs' radical underneath.