fabulous beast
狻 refers to a fabulous beast, a mythical creature. Its meaning is narrow and specific to legendary animals.
狻 combines the beast radical 犭 with 夋, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character is used for a specific mythical beast, but the exact historical origin of the compound is uncertain.
The beast radical 犭 hints at an animal, and the right side 夋 looks like a creature with a crown and legs. Imagine a fabulous beast with a regal bearing, fitting its mythical status.
For サン, picture a fabulous beast basking under the sun: sun -> サン, and the mythical creature soaks up the rays.