票
ひょう · hyou · JLPT N3 · noun
ballot
🗳️🎫 票 = 覀 (cover) + 示 (show): a slip that shows your choice, like a ballot or ticket
示 means to show or indicate, so 票 is a paper slip that shows something: a vote, a ticket or a label. It turns up in 投票 (とうひょう, voting) and 切符 vs 乗車票 (ticket). Sound hook: hyou is close to hey you!, the name called out on your ticket.
票 — fire 火 (bottom) + 覀 (cover/west)
Originally written with 火 (fire) below 覀, depicting sparks or embers rising from a fire. The early meaning was 'flying sparks' or 'light, floating thing.' Over time it shifted to mean a slip of paper, ticket, or note — something light and easily passed around.