旐 (zhào) - A type of ancient banner or flag used & also refers to a spirit banner.

旐Tone 4

zhào ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

旐 · zhào

A type of ancient banner or flag used in funeral processions in ancient China, often decorated with snake patterns;

also refers to a spirit banner.

A type of ancient banner or flag usedalso refers to a spirit banner.

Usage highlights

Spirit bannerFuneral bannerSnakeCeremonial flagMourning banner

Synonyms

  • 幡— banner, pennant
  • 旗— flag, banner
  • 旌— banner, streamer

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The funeral procession carried a spirit banner (旐).
  • Ancient texts describe ceremonial flags (旐旗).
  • The banner was decorated with snake patterns (蛇纹旐).

Collocations

  • Spirit banner(魂旐)
  • Funeral banner(丧旐)
  • Snake-patterned banner(蛇旐)
  • Ceremonial flag(旐旗)
  • Mourning banner(哀旐)

Idioms

  • Banners fluttering in the wind(旌旐飘扬)
  • The spirit banner leads the way(旐导前路)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in ancient Chinese funeral ceremonies to guide the spirit of the deceased.
  • Often featured snake patterns, which held symbolic meaning in ancient Chinese cosmology.
  • Mentioned in classical texts like the Book of Songs and Rites of Zhou.
  • Represents ancient Chinese beliefs about the afterlife and spiritual journeys.

FAQ