撎 (yì) - A formal bow in ancient Chinese etiquette, performed & an ancient ceremonial salute.

撎Tone 4

yì ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

一懿

撎 · yì

A formal bow in ancient Chinese etiquette, performed by kneeling and bowing with hands clasped to the ground and head lowered to the hands;

an ancient ceremonial salute.

A formal bow in ancient Chinese etiquette, performedan ancient ceremonial salute.

Usage highlights

formal bowceremonial bowkowtow bowkneeling bowritual bowbow salute

Synonyms

  • 拜— to bow, to worship (general term for bowing)
  • 叩首— to kowtow (touch head to ground)
  • 跪拜— to kneel and bow

Antonyms

  • 立— to stand (opposite posture)
  • 揖— bow with hands clasped (standing bow)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The minister performed a formal bow (撎) to the emperor.
  • Ancient ceremonial bows (撎礼) were part of court protocol.
  • The ritual required kneeling and bowing (跪拜撎首).

Collocations

  • formal bow(撎拜)
  • ceremonial bow(撎礼)
  • kowtow bow(叩撎)
  • kneeling bow(跪撎)
  • ritual bow(礼撎)
  • bow salute(撎揖)

Idioms

  • To kneel and bow respectfully(跪而撎之)
  • Bowing with hands to the ground(拱手至地)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Represents one of the formal kneeling salutes (跪拜礼) in ancient Chinese ritual etiquette.
  • Used in ceremonial contexts such as court audiences, ancestral worship, and formal greetings.
  • The character is archaic and primarily encountered in classical texts describing pre-Qin or early imperial rituals.

FAQ