敔 (yǔ) - A percussion instrument in ancient Chinese music, shaped

敔Tone 3

yǔ ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

与喻

敔 · yǔ

A percussion instrument in ancient Chinese music, shaped like a tiger with serrated back, played by scraping with a bamboo stick to mark the end of music.

A percussion instrument in ancient Chinese music, shaped

Usage highlights

Ancient percussion instrumentTigerBamboo scraper for yuCourt music yuYu and qing instrumentsCeremonial yu

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The conductor used the yu to signal the end of the piece (敔).
  • In ancient court music, the yu was essential for timing (敔).
  • The tiger-shaped yu is a rare museum artifact (虎形敔).

Collocations

  • Ancient percussion instrument(敔)
  • Tiger-shaped yu(虎形敔)
  • Bamboo scraper for yu(竹刮敔)
  • Court music yu(宫廷敔)
  • Yu and qing instruments(敔磬)
  • Ceremonial yu(礼敔)

Idioms

  • The yu concludes the music(敔止乐终)
  • As ordered as bells and yu(钟敔有序)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The yu was one of the eight categories of ancient Chinese instruments (八音), specifically under the 'wood' category.
  • It was used in Confucian temple ceremonies and imperial court music to mark musical sections.
  • The tiger shape symbolizes authority and power in Chinese musical tradition.

FAQ