钗 (chāi) - Hairpin & ornamental hair clasp worn by women in traditional
钗 · chāi
Hairpin;
ornamental hair clasp worn by women in traditional Chinese attire.
Hairpinornamental hair clasp worn by women in traditional
Usage highlights
HairpinGold hairpinJade hairpinPhoenix hairpinHairpin and earringsBroken hairpin
Usage & contexts
Examples
- She wore a jade hairpin (玉钗) in her hair.
- The gold hairpin (金钗) was a family heirloom.
- In ancient times, hairpins (钗) were common women's accessories.
Collocations
- Hairpin(钗)
- Gold hairpin(金钗)
- Jade hairpin(玉钗)
- Phoenix hairpin(凤钗)
- Hairpin and earrings(钗环)
- Broken hairpin(断钗)
Idioms
- Broken mirror reunited, hairpin restored(破镜重圆，钗分再合)
- Golden hairpin falling into the well(金钗坠井)
- Jade hairpin and silk skirt(玉钗罗裙)
Cultural background
FAQ- 钗 was an essential hair ornament for women in ancient China, often made of gold, silver, jade, or other precious materials.
- It symbolized femininity, elegance, and marital status; sometimes given as betrothal gifts.
- In literature, hairpins often represented separation or reunion, as breaking a hairpin symbolized parting.