sign, mark, indication

標 is composed of 木 (wood) and 票 (ticket). 木 is a pictograph of a tree, while 票 depicts ashes scattering and floating upward during the cremation of bones, conveying the idea of rising. The original meaning of 標 was the treetop, but today it denotes a mark or symbol. A treetop, being the tip of a tree, is usually high up and easy to spot.