墠 (shàn) - Leveled ground & cleared ritual site

墠Tone 4

shàn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

善上

墠 · shàn

Leveled ground;

cleared ritual site;

ancient term for an open-air ceremonial platform used for sacrifices and gatherings.

Leveled groundcleared ritual siteancient term for an open-air ceremonial platform used

Usage highlights

Ritual platformKing's platformCleared groundAltar groundAncient ceremonial siteLeveled ritual space

Synonyms

  • 坛— altar, platform (similar ritual function)
  • 场— ground, field (similar open space concept)

Antonyms

  • 庙— temple, enclosed shrine (vs. open-air platform)
  • 室— room, indoor space (vs. outdoor cleared ground)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient ceremony was held on a leveled ground (墠).
  • They prepared the ritual site (祭墠) for the offering.
  • Historical texts mention the king's platform (王墠) for addressing subjects.
  • This was originally a cleared area (场墠) for public events.

Collocations

  • Ritual platform(祭墠)
  • King's platform(王墠)
  • Cleared ground(场墠)
  • Altar ground(坛墠)
  • Ancient ceremonial site(古墠)
  • Leveled ritual space(平墠)

Idioms

  • The king's platform and ancestral temple(王墠宗庙)
  • Ritual platforms and altars(墠坛)
  • Cleared grounds for ceremonies(场墠之礼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, 墠 referred to specially prepared open-air platforms used for important state rituals and sacrifices.
  • These sites were typically leveled ground areas, distinct from enclosed temple structures, used for communication with heaven and ancestors.
  • Mentioned in classical texts like the Book of Rites as important ceremonial spaces in Zhou dynasty ritual systems.

FAQ