铉 (xuàn) - The crossbar or metal bar used to lift & by extension, an important or pivotal person.

铉Tone 4

xuàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

铉 · xuàn

The crossbar or metal bar used to lift a ceremonial tripod (鼎) in ancient China;

by extension, an important or pivotal person.

The crossbar or metal bar used to liftby extension, an important or pivotal person.

Usage highlights

tripod barpivot of stateimportant ministerkey positiontripod ear

Synonyms

  • 枢— pivot, hub
  • 键— key, crucial element

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tripod's carrying bar (鼎铉) was made of bronze.
  • He played a pivotal role in the organization (铉司).
  • The minister was considered the state's pillar (台铉).

Collocations

  • tripod bar(鼎铉)
  • pivot of state(铉台)
  • important minister(铉臣)
  • key position(铉席)
  • tripod ear(铉耳)

Idioms

  • To hold the tripod bar(居铉)
  • The tripod bar and its ear(铉耳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese ritual, the '铉' was the metal bar used to carry the ceremonial tripod (鼎), a symbol of state power.
  • By metaphorical extension, '铉' came to refer to important ministers who 'carried the weight' of the state.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing high officials and their responsibilities.

FAQ