立つ
ta-tsu
Steam stands, and so do rumors
The picture Something that was lying flat, or was not there at all, rises upright and catches the eye. 立つ sends the body up into a vertical line; 座る lowers that same body onto one spot.
Where the picture shows up in 立つ
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The body goes upright
ここに立って待ってください。
koko ni tatte matte kudasai
Please stand here and wait.
A seated body straightens its knees and rises upright.
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Rising from below
やかんから湯気が立っています。
yakan kara yuge ga tatte imasu
Steam is rising from the kettle.
Steam rises in one straight column from the spout of the kettle.
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Holding your post
明日は朝から店に立ちます。
ashita wa asa kara mise ni tachi-masu
Tomorrow I am on the shop floor from the morning.
Two feet stay planted beside the shop counter all day long.
Standing in the shop is how you say you are working that day.
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Usefulness stands upright
役に立つ道具をもらいました。
yaku ni tatsu dōgu o morai-mashita
I was given a tool that really helps.
A tool that was lying in the drawer springs upright and does its job whenever you need it.
役に立つ means useful: the usefulness stands up instead of lying flat.
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A rumor rises up
変なうわさが立っています。
hen na uwasa ga tatte imasu
There is a strange rumor going around.
A rumour that was not there shoots up out of the ground like grass, where everyone can see it.
All of it in one picture
立つ is one line rising upright into view. The body rises and you are standing; steam rises and it is going up; two feet rise and hold one spot and you are on duty; a tool in the drawer springs up each time it is needed and it is useful; a rumour rises like grass and it is going around. So anything with 立つ carries the same feeling: what was flat, or not there at all, has come up straight and caught someone's eye.