贆 (biāo) - A type of seashell used as currency in & also refers to cowrie shells in general.

贆Tone 1

biāo ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

贆 · biāo

A type of seashell used as currency in ancient China;

also refers to cowrie shells in general.

A type of seashell used as currency inalso refers to cowrie shells in general.

Usage highlights

Shell currencyCowrie shellAncient currencyShell moneyMarine shellCurrency shell

Synonyms

  • 贝— cowrie shell; currency
  • 贝壳— shell; seashell
  • 贝币— shell currency

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Ancient Chinese used cowrie shells as currency (贝币).
  • The character 贆 appears in classical texts referring to shell money.
  • Archaeologists found ancient shell currency (贝类货币) at the site.

Collocations

  • Shell currency(贝币)
  • Cowrie shell(贝壳)
  • Ancient currency(古货币)
  • Shell money(贝类钱币)
  • Marine shell(海贝)
  • Currency shell(货币贝)

Idioms

  • Precious as cowrie shells(贝玉之珍)
  • Shell and jade treasures(贝玉珍宝)
  • Currency and treasures(货贝财宝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Cowrie shells were among the earliest forms of currency in ancient China, used before metal coins.
  • Characters with the 贝 radical often relate to wealth, trade, and commerce.
  • Shell currency was particularly important in coastal regions and during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

FAQ