元気 meaning

[HomuRaviShanks]

Hey. I know 元気 means lively healthy etc, but 元 means former and 気 means spirit, so I was wondering how those two came together to form lively?

 

[Majestic]

Originally it was written as 減気 (genki), with the 減る kanji signifying a reduction, or retreat of illness (病気が減る). Then it morphed into 験気 (meaning whatever treatment was admistered had been having the desired effect), and then finally it morphed again into 元気, meaning the person/patient had returned to his original state of health.
元 origin, original, in addition to meaning "former"

元気／げんき - 語源由来辞典

元気の意味、語源、由来を解説。活動の源となる力や体の調子がよいこと。古くは「減気」と書き、病気の勢いが衰える意味で使われた。

gogen-yurai.jp