菖 (chāng) - Acorus calamus — refers to the sweet flag

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Acorus calamus — refers to the sweet flag or calamus plant, an aromatic herb used in traditional medicine and rituals.

Acorus calamus — refers to the sweet flag

Usage highlights

Calamus plantCalamus rootCalamus leavesHanging calamusCalamus and mugwortCalamus wine

Synonyms

  • 菖蒲— sweet flag, calamus (full plant name)
  • 白菖— white calamus (alternative name)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The calamus plant (菖蒲) is often grown near water.
  • Traditional medicine uses calamus root (菖蒲根).
  • Calamus leaves (菖蒲叶) are aromatic.
  • Dragon Boat Festival decorations include calamus (挂菖蒲).

Collocations

  • Calamus plant(菖蒲)
  • Calamus root(菖蒲根)
  • Calamus leaves(菖蒲叶)
  • Hanging calamus(挂菖蒲)
  • Calamus and mugwort(菖蒲艾叶)
  • Calamus wine(菖蒲酒)

Idioms

  • Calamus and orchids in the same room(菖兰同室)
  • Calamus recognizes the festival(菖蒲识节)
  • Calamus drives away evil(菖蒲驱邪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally hung during Dragon Boat Festival alongside mugwort to ward off evil spirits and disease.
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported medicinal properties.
  • Symbolizes purification and protection in Chinese cultural traditions.
  • Often associated with water elements due to its typical growing environment.

FAQ