墀 (chí) - Chí — a red-painted or polished stone staircase & a ceremonial stone terrace.

墀Tone 2

chí ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

墀 · chí

Chí — a red-painted or polished stone staircase or platform in front of ancient Chinese palaces or temples;

a ceremonial stone terrace.

Chí — a red-painted or polished stone staircasea ceremonial stone terrace.

Usage highlights

Vermilion stepsJade stepsStone stepsPalace stepsTemple stepsGolden steps

Synonyms

  • 阶— step, stair (more general term)
  • 陛— steps to the throne (specifically imperial)

Antonyms

  • 野— wilderness, countryside (opposite of ceremonial court)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The emperor ascended the vermilion steps (丹墀).
  • The official knelt on the palace terrace (玉墀).
  • The courtyard had polished stone platforms (石墀).
  • Ceremonies were held on the palace steps (宫墀).

Collocations

  • Vermilion steps(丹墀)
  • Jade steps(玉墀)
  • Stone steps(石墀)
  • Palace steps(宫墀)
  • Temple steps(殿墀)
  • Golden steps(金墀)

Idioms

  • Ascending the vermilion steps to receive imperial favor(丹墀对策)
  • Standing before the jade steps in audience(玉墀待诏)
  • Kneeling on the golden steps(金墀拜舞)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial architecture, '墀' referred to the painted stone staircase leading to the main hall, where important ceremonies and audiences took place.
  • The color and material of the '墀' indicated status—vermilion (丹墀) was highest, used for imperial palaces.
  • It symbolizes imperial authority, court rituals, and high-ranking officialdom in classical Chinese culture.

FAQ