贽 (zhì) - A ceremonial gift presented at a first meeting

贽Tone 4

zhì ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

志

贽 · zhì

A ceremonial gift presented at a first meeting with an elder or superior, typically used in ancient rituals.

A ceremonial gift presented at a first meeting

Usage highlights

Ceremonial giftGift for a first meetingRitual of presenting a giftTo hold a ceremonial giftGuest's presentOffering of jade

Synonyms

  • 礼— gift, rite, ceremony
  • 献— to offer, to present

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He presented a ceremonial gift (贽) to his teacher.
  • The ritual required a specific type of offering (贽见礼).
  • In ancient times, a guest would bring a present (执贽) when visiting.

Collocations

  • Ceremonial gift(贽)
  • Gift for a first meeting(贽见)
  • Ritual of presenting a gift(贽礼)
  • To hold a ceremonial gift(执贽)
  • Guest's present(宾贽)
  • Offering of jade(玉贽)

Idioms

  • Presenting a gift upon first meeting(贽见之礼)
  • Holding a gift to meet a superior(执贽而见)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, presenting a 'zhi' (贽) was a formal ritual to show respect when meeting a teacher, elder, or superior for the first time.
  • The type of gift (e.g., jade, silk, wild goose) could signify the presenter's status and the occasion's formality.
  • This practice is documented in classical texts like the 'Book of Rites' (《礼记》), reflecting Confucian emphasis on propriety and social hierarchy.

FAQ