left
左 centers on the direction or side that is opposite to right: left. It is used for spatial orientation and can extend to political or social left-leaning contexts.
左 originally depicted a left hand, with the modern form retaining a stylized hand shape. The character has long been used to represent the left side or direction.
The top diagonal stroke and the 工 shape together suggest a hand with fingers pointing left. Think of it as a left hand gesturing to the left side.
For サ, imagine a left-handed person writing the letter 'S' with their left hand: 'S' sounds like サ, and the left hand ties it to the meaning.
left; left-hand side
left and right; right and left
left hand
left side; left-hand side
left wing
left wing
upper left
left foot
left-handedness; left-handed person; left-hander
lower left
turning to the left; left turn
left arm
left eye
left shoulder
demotion; relegation; reduction in rank; degradation; downward move
left end; left edge
port (left side of vessel)
far left (in politics); extreme left; ultraleft; radical left
moving about in confusion; going every which way; going this way and that
left brain