觹 (xī) - Ancient jade pendant shaped like an animal horn & used as a belt ornament or ceremonial object

觹Tone 1

xī ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

觹 · xī

Ancient jade pendant shaped like an animal horn;

used as a belt ornament or ceremonial object in ancient China, often symbolizing wisdom and the ability to solve problems.

Ancient jade pendant shaped like an animal hornused as a belt ornament or ceremonial object

Usage highlights

Jade pendantBelt ornamentCeremonial pendantHornAncient pendantBronze pendant

Synonyms

  • 觽— Variant form of 觹
  • 解结锥— Knot-untying awl (functional equivalent)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The archaeologist found a jade pendant (玉觹) in the tomb.
  • In ancient times, people used a horn-shaped ornament (觹) to untie knots.
  • This artifact is a ceremonial jade pendant (礼器觹).
  • The belt was decorated with a jade ornament (带觹).

Collocations

  • Jade pendant(玉觹)
  • Belt ornament(带觹)
  • Ceremonial pendant(礼器觹)
  • Horn-shaped ornament(角形觹)
  • Ancient pendant(古觹)
  • Bronze pendant(铜觹)

Idioms

  • To solve difficulties as if untying knots(如觹解结)
  • The wisdom to unravel complexities(觹智解纷)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in ancient Chinese rituals and as personal adornments, particularly during the Zhou and Han dynasties.
  • Symbolized wisdom and the ability to solve difficult problems, as it was used to untie knots.
  • Often made from jade, bronze, or bone, reflecting the owner's social status.

FAQ