lion
獅 centers on the lion, a large wild cat. The meaning is straightforward and specific to this animal.
獅 is a phono-semantic compound: the animal radical 犭 (beast) indicates a large animal, and 師 (シ) provides the sound. The character was created specifically for 'lion'.
The left side 犭 is the animal radical, and the right side 師 looks like a majestic beast with a crown-like top. Picture a lion as the king of beasts, with the radical marking it as an animal and the right side suggesting its regal mane.
For シ, imagine a lion sitting on a throne, and you say 'See!' (シ) as you point at the majestic animal. The sound 'see' cues the reading シ.
lion
lion (king of beasts)
furious (energy, battle, etc.); frenzied (work, activity, etc.); ferocious
(mythical) Chinese lion; Chinese guardian lion
kojishi; noh mask representing a young lion
pug nose; snub nose; upturned nose
making something strong even stronger; (giving) fins to a lion
testing one's children by putting them through hardship
Buddha's seat; seat of a high monk
make your dear ones face trials so that they may grow; spare the rod, spoil the child; the lion drops its cubs into the abyss (only raising the ones who climb back up)
lion's roar; harangue
irresistible force
Leo (5th zodiacal sign); the Lion
Leonids
lion tamarin
lion dance; traditional dance performed by one or more dancers wearing a guardian lion costume
Haplopteris flexuosa (species of shoestring fern)
treacherous friend; snake in one's bosom; treacherous insider
snake in one's bosom; treacherous friend
lion mask