棨 (qǐ) - A tally or wooden pass used in ancient & a ceremonial staff or insignia of office.

棨Tone 3

qǐ ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

七器

棨 · qǐ

A tally or wooden pass used in ancient China for identification or authority;

a ceremonial staff or insignia of office.

A tally or wooden pass used in ancienta ceremonial staff or insignia of office.

Usage highlights

Tally passCeremonial staffOfficial insigniaWooden tokenGate passAuthority tally

Synonyms

  • 符— tally, token (broader term for various types of tallies)
  • 信— credential, token (in the sense of identification)
  • 节— insignia, emblem of authority

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The official presented his wooden pass (棨信) at the gate.
  • Ancient envoys carried tally staffs (棨戟) as symbols of authority.
  • The commander's insignia (棨符) granted him passage through military checkpoints.
  • Ceremonial wooden tokens (木棨) were used in Han dynasty protocols.

Collocations

  • Tally pass(棨信)
  • Ceremonial staff(棨戟)
  • Official insignia(棨符)
  • Wooden token(木棨)
  • Gate pass(门棨)
  • Authority tally(权棨)

Idioms

  • Presenting the tally at the gate(执棨入门)
  • The tally grants passage(棨传通行)
  • Bearer of the ceremonial staff(持棨之士)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in ancient China as official credentials, similar to modern passports or identification documents.
  • Often made of wood and carried by officials, envoys, and military commanders to prove identity and authority.
  • Mentioned in historical texts describing bureaucratic procedures and ceremonial protocols.
  • Symbolized both practical authority and ceremonial status in imperial administration.

FAQ