象
ショウ, ゾウ, かたど.る, きさ

elephant, pattern after, imitate, image, shape, sign (of the times)

JLPT2 G4 S12 F394

A depiction of an *elephant* → *tusk*; *ivory* → *shape*; *image*; *appearance* (animal of a conspicuous/remarkable shape etc.) → *liken*; *resemble* (← image resembling the original object) → *imitate* (← image resembling/imitating the original object). The pronunciation of the character simulates the trumpeting of an elephant.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]