県
ケン, か.ける, あがた, がた

prefecture

JLPT2 G3 S9 F140

A depiction of an upside-down, severed head (compare 首), which it was a custom to *suspend in midair* from a high place (to serve as a warning to potential criminals). In Japan, 県 was also adopted as a Shinjitai (new character form) to replace 縣, according to which 県 also conveys the meanings *hang suspended in-between* and *prefecture*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]