绶 (shòu) - ribbon & cord

绶Tone 4

shòu ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

绶 · shòu

ribbon;

cord;

silk sash used to fasten seals or medals in ancient China.

ribboncordsilk sash used to fasten seals or medals

Usage highlights

ribbon for a sealsilk sashpurple ribbongold cordseal and ribbongreen cord

Synonyms

  • 带— belt, ribbon (general term)
  • 缨— tassel, cord (for headwear or decoration)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The official seal was attached with a purple ribbon (绶带).
  • He received a medal with a colorful cord (绶带).
  • The jade seal was tied with a silk ribbon (玉绶).
  • The general wore a seal with a green cord (印绶).

Collocations

  • ribbon for a seal(印绶)
  • silk sash(绶带)
  • purple ribbon(紫绶)
  • gold cord(金绶)
  • seal and ribbon(玺绶)
  • green cord(绿绶)

Idioms

  • The seal and ribbon of high office(印绶之重)
  • Hanging the gold seal and purple ribbon(金印紫绶)
  • Receiving the seal and ribbon(受绶拜官)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, the color and material of the 'shou' ribbon indicated an official's rank.
  • The 'shou' was part of the formal regalia for seals, symbolizing authority and bureaucratic status.
  • The system of seal ribbons dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties.

FAQ