瑗 (yuàn) - A large jade disc with a large central

瑗Tone 4

yuàn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

瑗 · yuàn

A large jade disc with a large central hole, used in ancient China as a ceremonial object and symbol of authority.

A large jade disc with a large central

Usage highlights

Jade yuanLarge yuan discYuan and biZhou dynasty yuanCeremonial yuanAncient jade artifact

Synonyms

  • 璧— bi — a jade disc with a smaller central hole

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The archaeologist found a jade disc (玉瑗).
  • It was a ritual object from the Zhou dynasty (周代礼器).
  • The museum displayed a large bi and a smaller yuan (大璧小瑗).

Collocations

  • Jade yuan(玉瑗)
  • Large yuan disc(大瑗)
  • Yuan and bi(瑗璧)
  • Zhou dynasty yuan(周瑗)
  • Ceremonial yuan(礼瑗)
  • Ancient jade artifact(古玉瑗)

Idioms

  • The distinction between bi and yuan(璧瑗之别)
  • Presenting the yuan as a token of authority(献瑗示信)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in ancient Chinese rituals and ceremonies, particularly during the Zhou dynasty.
  • Symbolized authority and high rank; often given as gifts between nobles.
  • Part of a system of jade discs including bi (璧) and yuan (瑗), differentiated by the size of the central hole relative to the rim.

FAQ