eight, eight radical (no. 12)
八 centers on the number eight. The radical sense is the same visible shape used as a component in other characters.
八 is a pictograph of something divided or separated, originally meaning 'to divide'. It was later borrowed to represent the number eight.
The two strokes of 八 look like they are splitting apart, like cutting something into two. Picture dividing a cake into eight slices: the shape of the cut is 八, and you get eight pieces.
For ハチ, imagine a bee (ハチ) landing on the shape of 八, its wings spread like the two strokes. The bee's buzzing 'hachi' sound helps you remember the reading.
eight; 8
Hachiōji (city)
Hachiman (god of war)
eight
thick clouds
very long period; forever
match fixing; put-up job; fixed game
greengrocer; fruit and vegetable shop
shrine dedicated to Hachiman; Hachiman shrine
shakuhachi; end-blown fippleless bamboo flute
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability
being in dire distress; being hard put to it; being hard pressed (for money)
octagon
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; one's forte
eight trigrams (divination signs); bagua
double tooth; protruding tooth (like a fang); high canine
all sides; the four cardinal directions and the four ordinal directions
tearing limb from limb; tearing apart; cutting (a person) to pieces
all directions; every direction; all sides; all quarters; everywhere
ostracism