beginning, former time, origin
元 centers on the starting point of something: the beginning, the origin, or a former time from which the present developed.
origin; source; beginning
lively; full of spirit; energetic; vigorous; vital; spirited
home area; home town
dimension
originally; from the start; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
restoration; return
at one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step")
at hand; on hand; nearby; close at hand
restoration (to the original state or location); reconstruction; restitution
originator; pioneer; inventor; founder
(one's) identity; background; upbringing; birth (and parentage)
first year (of an imperial era)
name of an imperial era (e.g. Heisei, Shōwa); Japanese era name
(field) marshal; (fleet) admiral; general of the army
elder statesman; doyen; old-timer; authority
element; chemical element
pre-era; BC; BCE
15th day of the 7th lunar month; (last day of) Bon lantern festival
ringleader; main culprit
from the beginning; from the first; all along; originally
close to the ear
originally; essentially; naturally; by nature; really; actually
New Year's Day; first day of the year
sovereign; ruler; head of state
元 originally depicted a person with an emphasized head, representing the idea of 'head' or 'beginning'. The modern form retains the basic shape with 一 on top and 儿 below.
The top line 一 marks the starting point, and the legs 儿 suggest something standing at the very beginning. Picture the first step of a journey: 元 is the origin.
For ゲン, imagine a genie emerging from a lamp at the very beginning of time: genie -> ゲン, and the genie represents the origin of wishes.