In the Oracle Bone Script and Bronze script, it is like the altars used for sacrifices. The original meaning of this character is the god of the earth.
When 示 is used as a radical, it is written as 礻. Chinese Characters using the radical 礻 are often related to sacrifices and ceremonies, such as Fú-福-blessings and Lǐ-礼-rituals.
甲骨文和金文的字形像祭祀用的祭台，这个字的本义是地神，同“祇”，本读 “qí”。 示做部首时，写成礻，礻字旁的字多与祭祀、礼仪有关，比如：福、礼。
Link: Chinese characters with the radical 礻(Shì)
