雩 (yú) - Yu — ancient rain-making ceremony & to pray for rain

雩Tone 2

yú ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

雩 · yú

Yu — ancient rain-making ceremony;

to pray for rain;

also refers to a type of altar used in such ceremonies.

Yu — ancient rain-making ceremonyto pray for rainalso refers to a type of altar used

Usage highlights

Rain prayer ceremonyYu altarYu danceSpring YuGreat YuYu ritual

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient rain ceremony (雩祭) was performed during droughts.
  • They prayed for rain at the Yu altar (雩坛).
  • The Yu dance (雩舞) was part of the ritual.
  • Spring Yu ceremony (春雩) was held for timely rainfall.

Collocations

  • Rain prayer ceremony(雩祭)
  • Yu altar(雩坛)
  • Yu dance(雩舞)
  • Spring Yu(春雩)
  • Great Yu(大雩)
  • Yu ritual(雩礼)

Idioms

  • The Yu ceremony for rain(舞雩求雨)
  • Wind from the Yu altar(舞雩之风)
  • Bathing at the Yu altar and breezing in the wind(风乎舞雩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated in ancient Chinese agricultural society as a ritual to pray for rain during droughts.
  • The Yu ceremony was an important state ritual in imperial China, often performed by the emperor.
  • Confucius mentioned 'bathing at the Yu altar' in the Analects, giving it cultural significance beyond mere ritual.

FAQ