long, leader, superior, senior
長 centers on extended physical length and the social extension of that idea: a person who stands out as a leader, superior, or senior figure.
long (distance, length)
growth; development; growing up; becoming an adult
company president; manager; director
height (of a person); stature
president (of a society); chairman
secretary (government); director; chief
mayor
long-term
extension; elongation; prolongation; lengthening
head (chief, director) of a section or department
Nagasaki (city, prefecture)
many years; a long time
chair; chairman; chairperson; speaker (of an assembly); president (of a council, senate, etc.)
principal; head teacher; headmaster; headmistress
commanding officer
shop manager
long time; several hours; long spell
bureau director; office chief
eldest son (may be the only son); first-born son
head; chief; leader; elder
director (of a hospital, institution, academy, etc.); superintendent; rector
section manager; section chief
leader of a group
full length; total length; overall length
長 is a pictograph of a person with long hair, symbolizing length and by extension an elder or leader. The modern form retains the elongated shape.
The character looks like a tall figure with flowing hair, suggesting something long. A long-haired person in a group often stands out as the leader or senior.
For チョウ, imagine a long queue of people waiting to see the leader: queue -> チョウ, and the leader is at the front of the long line.