瓿 (bù) - A small-mouthed bronze vessel from ancient China, used & a type of ancient pottery jar.

瓿Tone 4

bù ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

不偲

瓿 · bù

A small-mouthed bronze vessel from ancient China, used for holding wine, water, or sauces;

a type of ancient pottery jar.

A small-mouthed bronze vessel from ancient China, useda type of ancient pottery jar.

Usage highlights

Bronze bu vesselPottery bu jarHanAncient wine buCeramic buRitual bu vessel

Synonyms

  • 罍— A larger wine vessel with a wider mouth
  • 尊— Wine vessel, often taller and more ceremonial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The archaeologist unearthed a bronze vessel (青铜瓿).
  • This ancient wine container is called a bu (瓿).
  • The museum's collection includes a Han-dynasty bu (汉代瓿).

Collocations

  • Bronze bu vessel(青铜瓿)
  • Pottery bu jar(陶瓿)
  • Han-dynasty bu(汉代瓿)
  • Ancient wine bu(古酒瓿)
  • Ceramic bu(瓷瓿)
  • Ritual bu vessel(礼器瓿)

Idioms

  • To hold a jar and pour from it(抱瓿而注)
  • To guard the jar and scoop from it(守瓿持勺)
  • The jar is full but the ladle is empty(瓿满勺虚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 瓿 was a common ritual vessel during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, used in ceremonies and burials.
  • These vessels were typically made of bronze or pottery and often featured intricate decorative patterns.
  • In archaeological contexts, bu vessels help date sites and understand ancient metallurgy and craftsmanship.

FAQ