bright, light
明 centers on clear light: something bright, visible, or illuminated. Its common abstract uses grow naturally from that same idea of clarity.
explanation; exposition; description; account; caption; legend
tomorrow
unclear; obscure; indistinct; uncertain; ambiguous
clear; obvious; evident; plain; definite
proof; testimony; demonstration; verification; certification
light; bright; well-lit; well-lighted
clear; precise; definite; distinct
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
establishing; proving; ascertaining; identifying; confirming
civilization; civilisation; culture
transparent; clear
invention
declaration; indication; representation; manifestation; demonstration; expression; announcement; assertion
illumination; lighting
declaration; statement; proclamation
elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding
light; glow; gleam
to pass (the night); to spend
clear writing; specification
dawn; daybreak
obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit; overt
Komeito (Japanese political party)
elucidation; explicit statement; specification
day after tomorrow
明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), two sources of light, to express brightness or illumination.
The sun 日 and moon 月 appear together, filling the scene with light. When both lights are out, everything is bright and clear.
For メイ, imagine a bright May morning when sun and moonlight make everything clear: May -> メイ.