笄 (jī) - Hairpin — an ancient hairpin used by women & symbolizes coming of age.

笄Tone 1

jī ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

笄 · jī

Hairpin — an ancient hairpin used by women in China to fasten their hair upon reaching adulthood at age 15;

symbolizes coming of age.

Hairpin — an ancient hairpin used by womensymbolizes coming of age.

Usage highlights

Hairpin ceremonyJade hairpinReaching hairpin ageHairpin and cap ceremonyInitial hairpinHairpin year

Synonyms

  • 簪— hairpin (general term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient hairpin ceremony marked adulthood (笄礼).
  • She wore an elegant jade hairpin (玉笄).
  • At fifteen, she received her first hairpin (及笄).

Collocations

  • Hairpin ceremony(笄礼)
  • Jade hairpin(玉笄)
  • Reaching hairpin age(及笄)
  • Hairpin and cap ceremony(笄冠)
  • Initial hairpin(初笄)
  • Hairpin year(笄年)

Idioms

  • Reaching the age for hairpin(及笄之年)
  • Hairpin and skirt(笄珈)
  • Hairpin and hair clasp(笄簪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, the 'hairpin ceremony' (笄礼) was the female equivalent of the capping ceremony for males, marking the transition to adulthood at age 15.
  • The character appears in classical texts like the 'Book of Rites' (礼记) describing coming-of-age rituals.
  • Hairpins were often made of precious materials like jade, bone, or bamboo, with design indicating social status.

FAQ