禊 (xì) - Xi — an ancient purification ritual involving bathing & also refers to the location where such rituals

禊Tone 4

xì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

禊 · xì

Xi — an ancient purification ritual involving bathing in water, performed at waterside during the Spring and Autumn periods to dispel misfortune and pray for blessings;

also refers to the location where such rituals were held.

Xi — an ancient purification ritual involving bathingalso refers to the location where such rituals

Usage highlights

Spring purificationAutumn purificationPerform purification ritualLanting purification gatheringPurification feastPurification poetry

Synonyms

  • 祓— to cleanse, exorcise (another ritual term for purification)
  • 祭— sacrifice, worship (general term for ritual)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They performed the purification ritual (修禊) by the river.
  • The Lanting Gathering involved a waterside purification (兰亭修禊).
  • This spot was used for spring purification ceremonies (春禊).
  • The autumn purification ritual (秋禊) was equally important.

Collocations

  • Spring purification(春禊)
  • Autumn purification(秋禊)
  • Perform purification ritual(修禊)
  • Lanting purification gathering(兰亭禊事)
  • Purification feast(禊宴)
  • Purification poetry(禊诗)

Idioms

  • Lanting Gathering for purification(兰亭修禊)
  • Purification at the winding stream(曲水流觞)
  • Spring purification by the waterside(春禊临水)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated from ancient Chinese purification ceremonies held seasonally by rivers to ward off evil and disease.
  • The most famous instance is the Lanting Gathering (兰亭集) of 353 CE, where Wang Xizhi and friends performed the ritual and composed poetry.
  • The ritual involved floating wine cups down a winding stream—participants would retrieve and drink from a cup, then compose a poem.

FAQ