桐 (tóng) - Tung tree, Paulownia — a deciduous tree native & often used metaphorically in names to symbolize nobility,

桐Tone 2

tóng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

桐 · tóng

Tung tree, Paulownia — a deciduous tree native to China, valued for its timber and ornamental flowers;

often used metaphorically in names to symbolize nobility, resilience, and auspiciousness.

Tung tree, Paulownia — a deciduous tree nativeoften used metaphorically in names to symbolize nobility,

Usage highlights

Paulownia treeTung woodTung oilWutong treePhoenix and paulowniaPaulownia flower

Synonyms

  • 梧桐— Chinese parasol tree, Firmiana simplex
  • 泡桐— Paulownia, specifically Paulownia tomentosa

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The paulownia tree (桐树) has large purple flowers.
  • This furniture is made of tung wood (桐木).
  • The phoenix perches only on the paulownia (凤凰栖桐).
  • Tung oil (桐油) is used in wood finishing.

Collocations

  • Paulownia tree(桐树)
  • Tung wood(桐木)
  • Tung oil(桐油)
  • Wutong tree(梧桐)
  • Phoenix and paulownia(凤凰桐)
  • Paulownia flower(桐花)

Idioms

  • The phoenix perches on the wutong(凤栖梧桐)
  • Wutong leaves fall(梧桐叶落)
  • Wutong breaks off(梧桐断角)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese mythology, the phoenix only perches on the paulownia tree, making it a symbol of nobility and auspiciousness.
  • The paulownia is associated with the autumn season and sometimes with loneliness or separation in poetry.
  • Traditionally used to make musical instruments like the guqin due to its resonant wood quality.

FAQ