legendary archer
羿 refers to a legendary archer from Chinese mythology, specifically the hero Hou Yi who shot down suns. The kanji's meaning is tightly bound to this specific figure and the act of archery.
羿 is composed of 羽 (feathers) and 廾 (two hands), suggesting the act of drawing a bow with feathered arrows. This aligns with its meaning as a legendary archer.
Feathers 羽 held by two hands 廾: imagine the legendary archer Hou Yi nocking a feathered arrow, ready to shoot down the suns.
For ゲイ, picture the archer taking aim and saying 'Gay!' as he releases the arrow—a playful invented sound cue: gay -> ゲイ.
—