owl, expose
梟 centers on an owl, a bird associated with exposure and display, likely from the historical practice of exposing owl heads as a warning. The 'expose' meaning is a specific cultural extension of the owl image.
梟 combines 鳥 (bird) on top of 木 (tree), depicting a bird in a tree. Historically, it specifically referred to an owl, and the 'expose' meaning comes from the ancient practice of displaying owl heads.
Picture an owl perched on a tree branch (木). The owl's distinctive face is exposed for all to see, linking the bird to the idea of exposure.
For キョウ, imagine a Kyoto (キョウト) temple garden where an owl sits exposed on a wooden (木) post: Kyoto -> キョウ.
owl (esp. the Ural owl, Strix uralensis)
Tanzanian bay owl (Phodilus prigoginei); Congo bay owl
Taliabu owl (Tyto nigrobrunnea); Taliabu masked owl; Sula Islands barn owl
New Britain masked owl (Tyto aurantia); New Britain barn owl; golden masked owl; Bismarck owl; Bismarck masked owl
Madagascar red owl (Tyto soumagnei); Madagascar grass owl; Sourmange's owl; red owl
Oriental bay owl (Phodilus badius)
grass owl (Tyto capensis); African grass owl
masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae); Australian masked owl
little owl (Athene noctua)
northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula)
Blakiston's fish owl (Bubo blakistoni)
eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris); Australian grass owl
to expose (a severed head)
to expose (a severed head)
brave general
leader of a powerful tribe
great treachery; very atrocious person
treacherous enemy
penalty of decapitation and exposure of the severed head
ringleader; accomplished villain