矰 (zēng) - An arrow with a silk cord attached, used & a type of snaring arrow.

矰Tone 1

zēng ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

矰 · zēng

An arrow with a silk cord attached, used in ancient Chinese archery for retrieving or signaling;

a type of snaring arrow.

An arrow with a silk cord attached, useda type of snaring arrow.

Usage highlights

Corded arrowSilkArrow with cordShoot the retrieval arrowBirdArrow and line

Synonyms

  • 矢— arrow (general term)
  • 箭— arrow (common term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The hunter used a retrieval arrow (矰) to catch birds.
  • Ancient texts mention corded arrows (矰矢) for hunting.
  • The ritual involved shooting a silk-tethered arrow (矰).

Collocations

  • Corded arrow(矰矢)
  • Silk-tethered arrow(矰)
  • Arrow with cord(矰缴)
  • Shoot the retrieval arrow(射矰)
  • Bird-catching arrow(弋矰)
  • Arrow and line(矰弋)

Idioms

  • Shooting birds with retrieval arrows(弋矰射鸟)
  • The corded arrow reaches its target(矰缴及之)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in ancient Chinese hunting, especially for waterfowl or retrieving arrows from water.
  • Mentioned in classical texts like the Book of Songs and Zhuangzi as a metaphor for entrapment or worldly snares.
  • Associated with ritual archery and aristocratic hunting practices in pre-Qin China.

FAQ