fragrant herbs, spiced liqueur, grow, spread
鬯 centers on a fragrant herbal infusion used in ritual offerings, extended to the idea of spreading or growing like an aroma. The meanings 'fragrant herbs', 'spiced liqueur', 'grow', and 'spread' all connect to this core image of a scented liquid that permeates.
鬯 is an ancient pictograph of a ritual vessel containing fragrant herbs or spiced liquor. The modern form retains the container shape with the 匕 component at the bottom, but the exact historical development of the upper strokes is uncertain.
Picture a ceremonial bowl (the upper enclosure) filled with aromatic herbs, with a ladle (匕) at the bottom for serving the spiced liqueur. The fragrance spreads and grows, filling the space.
For チョウ, imagine a long-serving chief named Chou pouring the spiced liqueur from the vessel: Chou -> チョウ, and the aroma spreads through the hall.