彛 (yí) - Yi — an ancient bronze ritual vessel & a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel

彛Tone 2

yí ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

彛 · yí

Yi — an ancient bronze ritual vessel;

a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel;

also used to mean 'constant', 'regular', 'proper', 'righteous'.

Yi — an ancient bronze ritual vessela type of ancient Chinese wine vesselalso used to mean 'constant', 'regular', 'proper', 'righteous'.

Usage highlights

Bronze yi vesselMoral principlesClassic exampleYi vessel shapeProper conductConstant virtue

Synonyms

  • 常— constant, regular
  • 典— canon, classic
  • 礼器— ritual vessel

Antonyms

  • 变— change, alteration
  • 乱— chaos, disorder

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bronze yi vessel (青铜彛) was used in ancestral worship.
  • This is a classic example (彛范) that should be followed.
  • He upholds moral principles (彛训).
  • The yi vessel shape is distinctive (彛器 shape).

Collocations

  • Bronze yi vessel(青铜彛)
  • Moral principles(彛训)
  • Classic example(彛范)
  • Yi vessel shape(彛器)
  • Proper conduct(彛行)
  • Constant virtue(彛德)

Idioms

  • The Five Constant Virtues(五彛)
  • To follow the proper way(从彛)
  • To uphold moral principles(守彛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a type of bronze ritual wine vessel used in Shang and Zhou dynasty ancestral worship ceremonies.
  • By extension, came to mean 'constant', 'proper', or 'righteous' — what is eternally correct and to be followed.
  • The character's structure with 米 (rice), 糸 (silk), and 廾 (two hands) may symbolize offerings.
  • Appears in classical texts referring to both the vessel and constant moral principles.

FAQ