general, whole, all, full, total
総 centers on bringing everything together into one complete whole: the general, total, or all-encompassing aspect of something.
総 is the modern simplified form of 總. The older form combines 糸 (thread) with 悤, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of gathering or bundling together. The modern right side 忩 is a simplification.
Thread 糸 on the left and a gathering shape 忩 on the right: picture many threads being bundled together into one total whole.
For ソウ, imagine sewing all the threads together into one complete piece: sew -> ソウ, and the threads become the total fabric.
whole; total; gross; entire; overall; general (election, manager, etc.)
synthesis; combination; integration; putting together
prime minister (as the head of a cabinet government); premier
general affairs; general business; manager; director; adjutant general
president (of an organization); director general; governor (of a central bank); party leader (esp. LDP)
total amount (of money); total sum; sum total
general meeting
governor-general; governor; viceroy
supreme ruler; generalissimo
summarization; summary; generalization
total (number); count
president (of a university); vice-chancellor; chancellor
all members; whole army
total; sum total; total amount
the whole; all
commander-in-chief; leader; head of a group of companies
total energy; all efforts
general mobilization; full mobilization
inspector general; commissioner
aggregate amount
head temple of a Buddhist sect
consensus; collective will; collective opinion
general comment
general remarks
consul general
gross national product; GNP
extortionist that threatens to disrupt stock-holder meetings; sokaiya
General Affairs Bureau
general affairs department (bureau); executive section
comprehensive; composite; all-round; all-embracing; general; overall; combined; synthetic (e.g. language)
round robin
complete financial statement
prime minister (as the head of a cabinet government); premier
Prime Minister's office; PMO
mass resignation
general election (of the lower house)