name of ancient feudal State in Shenxi and Hunan
虢 is a historical proper noun referring to an ancient feudal state located in what is now Shaanxi and Hunan. Its meaning is purely a place name with no broader conceptual center.
虢 is a historical Chinese character used as the name of an ancient state. Its component structure combines 寽 and 虎, but the exact historical origin and the role of these components in the state name are uncertain.
虢 is a name, so picture a map of ancient China with the state of Guo marked by a tiger (虎) clawing (寽) at the border.
For ホウ, imagine the ancient state of Guo being announced with a loud 'hou!' cry: hou -> ホウ, as if calling out the name.