瓚 (zàn) - Zan — a ceremonial jade scepter or ritual & a jade-ornamented treasure.

瓚Tone 4

zàn ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

瓚 · zàn

Zan — a ceremonial jade scepter or ritual vessel used in ancient Chinese rites;

a jade-ornamented treasure.

Zan — a ceremonial jade scepter or rituala jade-ornamented treasure.

Usage highlights

Jade zanRitual zanZan vesselZan libationBronze zanJade

Synonyms

  • 圭瓚— jade-handled libation ladle
  • 玉爵— jade wine cup (similar ritual function)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The emperor held a jade scepter (玉瓚) during the ceremony.
  • This bronze vessel is a ritual zan (瓚).
  • The zan was used for libations (瓚鬯).

Collocations

  • Jade zan(玉瓚)
  • Ritual zan(礼瓚)
  • Zan vessel(瓚器)
  • Zan libation(瓚鬯)
  • Bronze zan(铜瓚)
  • Jade-ornamented zan(圭瓚)

Idioms

  • Jade zan and silk offerings(玉瓚丝帛)
  • The zan for ancestral rites(宗庙之瓚)
  • Presenting the jade zan(献玉瓚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The zan was a ceremonial jade or bronze vessel used in ancient Chinese rituals, especially for pouring libations to ancestors or deities.
  • It symbolized authority, nobility, and connection to the divine in Zhou-dynasty rites.
  • Often mentioned in classical texts like the Book of Songs (《诗经》) and Rites of Zhou (《周礼》).

FAQ