坫 (diàn) - A low wall or platform in ancient Chinese & also refers to a boundary marker.

坫Tone 4

diàn ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 土

橙丁

坫 · diàn

A low wall or platform in ancient Chinese architecture, used as a partition, screen, or stand for ritual vessels;

also refers to a boundary marker.

A low wall or platform in ancient Chinesealso refers to a boundary marker.

Usage highlights

Screen wallBoundary markerRitual standAncient platformHall partition

Synonyms

  • 屏— screen; shield
  • 界— boundary; limit
  • 台— platform; stage

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient hall had a low platform (坫) for displaying ceremonial objects.
  • In the Zhou dynasty, a screen-wall (坫) separated different sections of the palace.
  • Archaeologists found a ritual vessel stand (坫) at the site.

Collocations

  • Screen wall(屏坫)
  • Boundary marker(界坫)
  • Ritual stand(礼器坫)
  • Ancient platform(古坫)
  • Hall partition(堂坫)

Idioms

  • To set up boundaries(立坫为界)
  • The screen-wall of the ancestral temple(庙堂之坫)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese architecture, a 坫 was a low wall or platform used to separate spaces or display ritual vessels, especially in palaces and temples.
  • It served both practical and symbolic purposes, marking boundaries and hierarchies in ritual and courtly settings.

FAQ