157) 申

shen

explain

Symbolizes thunder that spreads out to all directions. Came to mean explain as in explaining your opinion or will to all directions.

157y) 神

shen

God; spirit

show 礻=示 [shì] + lightning/explain 申¹⁵⁷[shēn]

This character means ‘god, supernatural’ because lightning (申) was considered a sign from the gods (礻) and was feared. It also means ‘spirit’ because gods are invisible and so are souls.

157ax) 雨

yu

157a) 电

dian

electricity

As the character “申[shēn]” came to mean ‘explain,’ the character is also given a slight twist to restore meaning of thunder. Used now as the term for electricity as thunder is electrical discharge in the atmosphere.