happiness, blessing, fortune
幸 centers on a state of favorable fortune: happiness, blessings, or good luck that comes one's way.
幸 originally depicted a handcuff or shackle, but its meaning shifted to 'happiness' through the idea of being spared from punishment or misfortune. The modern form no longer clearly shows the original image.
The top part looks like a roof over a treasure (the lower strokes), suggesting a blessing or fortune that shelters you.
For コウ, imagine a happy koala (コウアラ) receiving a blessing: koala -> コウ, and the koala's joy matches the meaning of 幸.
happiness; good fortune; luck; blessing
happiness; blessedness; luck; fortune; felicity
unhappiness; sorrow; misfortune; disaster; accident
happiness; well-being; joy; welfare; blessedness
good luck; fortune; happiness
good luck; fortune
imperial visit; imperial outing
great happiness
unhappiness; misfortune; ill luck
sign (of things to come)
imperial visit
speculation
unfortunate; unhappy; ill-fated; hapless
food of the mountains (wild game, mountain vegetables, mushrooms, etc.); fruits of the land
transferring a shintai in a portable shrine, e.g. to another shrine or to a ceremony
being extremely grateful; being much obliged; being very appreciative; being very happy
food of the mountains (wild game, mountain vegetables, mushrooms, etc.); fruits of the land
this is my chance; this is the (opportune) moment; here's an opportunity (that can't be passed up)
windfall; piece of good luck
unfortunately; regrettably; sad to say