indications, sign, omen, symptom, collect, seek, refer to, question
徴 centers on outward signs that reveal something hidden: an indication, omen, or symptom. The meanings of collecting, seeking, or questioning extend from the idea of drawing out or calling forth such signs.
徴 is the modern simplified form of 徵. The older form combines 彳 (movement) with 徵, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of summoning or calling forth signs. The modern simplification replaces the complex middle with a compact 山王 shape.
The left side 彳 suggests movement, and the right side 攵 suggests an action. In the middle, 山 (mountain) over 王 (king) can be seen as a royal mountain where signs and omens are sought. Picture a king climbing a mountain to collect indications of the future.
For チョウ, imagine a long-serving chief named Chou standing on a mountain, seeking signs: Chou -> チョウ, and the chief collects omens.
feature; trait; characteristic; peculiarity; distinction
symbol (of something abstract); emblem; (symbolic) representation
collection (of fees, taxes, etc.); levy
conscription; (military) draft; (compulsory) enlistment
drafting; requisition; impressment; commandeering; expropriation
sign; indication; omen
sign; indication; symptom
fourth degree (of the Japanese and Chinese pentatonic scale)
tax collection; taxation
supplementary charge; additional collection
requisition; commandeering
enlistment; recruitment
sexual characteristics
additional collection; additional imposition; surcharge; forfeit; penalty
tetralogy of Fallot
References to Ancient History (by Hirata Atsutane, 1818)
National Requisition Ordinance (1939)
National Tax Collection Act
collection of additional taxes
note a semitone below the fourth degree of the Chinese and Japanese pentatonic scale