帝
テイ, みかど

sovereign, the emperor, god, creator

JLPT1 G7 S9 F1276

The relevant oracle bone form of this character depicts objects straightened into a unity, suggesting a supreme god unifying heaven and earth. Compare 君 and 王. Later, the term was applied to an *emperor*, whose functions and powers extend in like manner over the earth.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]