worship, ancestral hall

祠 is composed of the radical 示 (altar, show) and 司 (manage, command). 示 is a pictograph of an altar, implying sacrifice or worship, while 司 means to manage or oversee. Ancestors held a revered status, and in ancient times, the clan leader would handle clan affairs and issue commands to other members in front of the ancestral hall. Thus, 祠 represents a place for worshipping ancestors.