official

官 is composed of 宀 (roof) and a variant of 阜 (abundance, mound). 宀 is a pictograph of a roof, signifying a house, while 阜 refers to elevated ground. Thus, 官 conveys the idea of a house built on high ground, but this meaning was later taken over by 館. In ancient times, government offices were constructed on raised platforms or high ground to manifest governmental authority, so 官 refers to a person holding public office in the government.