辛
シン, から.い, つら.い, づら.い, かのと

spicy, bitter, hot, acrid

JLPT2 G7 S7 F1607

A depiction of a needle or a *sharp* knife/cutting tool, one adhering to or in close proximity to the object it is about to cut → *bitter*; *spicy*; *harsh*; *pungent* → *mustard*; *tough*; *painful*; *barely*. *Eighth in a series* and *eighth calendar sign* are borrowed meanings.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]