命じる
めいじる · meijiru · JLPT N3 · verb-ichidan
to order
📜 命 = 口 mouth + 令 order: a spoken order, so 命じる = to command
命 joins 令 (order, decree) with 口 (mouth): an order given out loud. The same kanji is in 命令 (meirei, a command). Adding じる turns the reading めい into a verb: meijiru, to give an order or appoint someone.
命 — 亼 (gather) + 卩 (kneeling person) + 口 (mouth)
Originally depicted a kneeling figure receiving an oral command from above, combining 令 (order) with an added 口 (mouth) for emphasis. The image of authority issuing decrees extended from 'command' to 'mandate' and then 'destiny, life,' as one's fate was seen as decreed by Heaven.