鑑 (jiàn) - Mirror & ancient bronze mirror
鑑 · jiàn
Mirror;
ancient bronze mirror;
to reflect;
to inspect;
to examine;
to warn;
to serve as a warning or example.
Mirrorancient bronze mirrorto reflect
Usage highlights
Ancient mirrorBronze mirrorTake as warningMirror of historySelfAppraisal
Usage & contexts
Examples
- Ancient bronze mirror(铜鑑)
- Use history as a mirror(以史为鑑)
- This serves as a warning(以此为鑑)
- Carefully examine oneself(鑑察自己)
Collocations
- Ancient mirror(古鑑)
- Bronze mirror(铜鑑)
- Take as warning(引以为鑑)
- Mirror of history(史鑑)
- Self-examination(自鑑)
- Appraisal(鑑定)
Idioms
- Use the past as a mirror for the future(前車之鑑)
- Clear as a mirror and straight as an arrow(明鑑萬里)
- Use history as a mirror(以史為鑑)
- The water mirror of previous events(往轍之鑑)
- Take warning from previous failure(覆車之鑑)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally referred to bronze mirrors used in ancient China for reflection and personal grooming.
- Extended meaning of 'examination' or 'warning' comes from the mirror's function of revealing truth.
- Used in historical context to mean learning from past events and mistakes.
- Appears in many classical texts and idioms emphasizing the importance of reflection and learning from history.