(xūn) - Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular

Tone 1

xūn | 17 strokes | radical:

· xūn

Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular flute, typically made of clay or ceramic, with a blowing hole and several finger holes.

Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular

Usage highlights

Play the xunPottery xunXun melodyAncient xunXun and chiXun music

Synonyms

  • Simplified form of 壎
  • 陶笛Ocarina (modern term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He plays the ancient xun (吹壎).
  • This xun is made of pottery (陶壎).
  • The xun produces a mellow, haunting sound (壎的音色).
  • Xun performances are often heard in traditional music (壎演奏).

Collocations

  • Play the xun(吹壎)
  • Pottery xun(陶壎)
  • Xun melody(壎曲)
  • Ancient xun(古壎)
  • Xun and chi(壎篪)
  • Xun music(壎乐)

Idioms

  • As harmonious as xun and chi(如壎如篪)
  • Xun and chi in harmony(壎篪相应)
  • Xun and chi together(伯壎仲篪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the oldest Chinese instruments, dating back over 7,000 years to the Neolithic period.
  • Often paired with the chi (篪, a bamboo flute) in classical texts to symbolize brotherly harmony.
  • Traditionally made from baked clay, reflecting its ancient origins in pottery-making cultures.
  • Associated with Confucian ritual music and court ceremonies in ancient China.

FAQ