谶 (chèn) - Prophecy & omen

谶Tone 4

chèn ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

晨呈

谶 · chèn

Prophecy;

omen;

prediction — refers to prophetic statements, divinatory signs, or foretelling of future events, often with a sense of fate or inevitability.

Prophecyomenprediction — refers to prophetic statements, divinatory signs,

Usage highlights

Prophecy bookProphetic statementProphetic wordsProphecy and weft textsFulfillment of prophecyProphecy chart

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Ancient books of prophecy(谶书)
  • A prophetic statement(谶语)
  • The prophecy came true(谶言应验)
  • Divination and prophecy(占谶)

Collocations

  • Prophecy book(谶书)
  • Prophetic statement(谶语)
  • Prophetic words(谶言)
  • Prophecy and weft texts(谶纬)
  • Fulfillment of prophecy(应谶)
  • Prophecy chart(图谶)

Idioms

  • A prophecy becomes reality(一语成谶)
  • Prophecy and weft studies(谶纬之学)
  • The prophecy has been fulfilled(谶已应验)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with Chinese prophetic and divinatory traditions, particularly during the Han dynasty.
  • Often linked with 'weft texts' (纬) as part of 'chenwei' (谶纬) literature combining prophecy with Confucian classics.
  • Used in political contexts where prophecies were created to legitimize or challenge rulers.
  • Considered part of esoteric knowledge with mystical connotations in traditional Chinese thought.

FAQ