貊 (mò) - Ancient name for a northern ethnic group & also refers to a mythical beast or barbarian

貊Tone 4

mò ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

妙慕

貊 · mò

Ancient name for a northern ethnic group;

also refers to a mythical beast or barbarian tribes in ancient Chinese texts.

Ancient name for a northern ethnic groupalso refers to a mythical beast or barbarian

Usage highlights

Mo peopleMo tribeMo beastMo regionRong and Mo tribesYi and Mo barbarians

Synonyms

  • 蛮— barbarian, savage (southern tribes)
  • 夷— barbarian, foreigner (eastern tribes)
  • 狄— northern barbarian tribes

Antonyms

  • 华— Chinese, civilized (as opposed to barbarian)
  • 夏— Chinese, civilized (ancient Chinese civilization)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The Mo people were an ancient northern tribe (貊族).
  • Ancient texts mention the Mo as barbarians (貊人).
  • The Mo beast appears in classical literature (貊兽).
  • The Mo region was in northern China (貊地).

Collocations

  • Mo people(貊人)
  • Mo tribe(貊族)
  • Mo beast(貊兽)
  • Mo region(貊地)
  • Rong and Mo tribes(戎貊)
  • Yi and Mo barbarians(夷貊)

Idioms

  • Barbarians of the four directions(蛮貊之邦)
  • Extending virtue to barbarians(化及蛮貊)
  • Civilizing the barbarians(礼乐征伐自蛮貊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically referred to non-Han ethnic groups in northern China during ancient times.
  • Often used in classical texts to denote 'barbarians' or uncivilized peoples from the perspective of Han Chinese civilization.
  • Appears in Confucian texts discussing cultural assimilation and the reach of Chinese civilization.

FAQ