1. Yuan dynasty (name of a Chinese dynasty)
E.g.: 元寇 (Mongol invasions of Japan)
2. era name
E.g.: 元号 (era name), 改元 (changing the era name)
3. origin; root; basis
E.g.: 元金 (principal), 元素 (element)
4. beginning; start
E.g.: 元祖 (founder), 元日 (New Year's Day)
5. a Chinese monetary unit
6. head; neck
E.g.: 元服 (coming-of-age ceremony)
7. leader; head; chief; the first person
E.g.: 元勲 (elder statesman), 元首 (head of state)
