Definitions

miǎn crown in the form of a horizontal board with hanging decorations; imperial crown

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "冕" originates from an early conceptual depiction of a ceremonial headdress, structurally formed by combining the radical "冃", which denotes a covering or hat, with the component "免" serving primarily a phonetic function. Its design evolved into a stable form representing a specific type of crown used by rulers and high-ranking officials during formal state rituals and religious ceremonies. While the graphic link to its initial representation gradually diminished through centuries of orthographic standardization, the core meaning of a ritual crown has endured without significant shift, and its modern usage continues to convey this narrow sense, largely appearing in historical discourse or compound terms related to sovereign insignia.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这顶非常精美。

Zhè dǐng miǎn fēicháng jīngměi.

This crown is very exquisitely made.

国王在典礼上戴上了华丽的

Guówáng zài diǎnlǐ shàng dài shàng le huálì de miǎn.

The king wore a magnificent crown at the ceremony.

那顶古老的是博物馆的珍宝。

Nà dǐng gǔlǎo de miǎn shì bówùguǎn de zhēnbǎo.

That ancient crown is a treasure of the museum.

他为自己的成就加上了荣耀的

Tā wèi zìjǐ de chéngjiù jiā shàng le róngyào de miǎn.

He crowned his achievements with glory.

这位设计师从古代帝王的中获得灵感。

Zhè wèi shèjì shī cóng gǔdài dìwáng de miǎn zhōng huòdé línggǎn.

This designer drew inspiration from the crowns of ancient emperors.

仪式象征着权力与责任的正式转移。

Jiāmiǎn yíshì xiàngzhēng zhe quánlì yǔ zérèn de zhèngshì zhuǎnyí.

The coronation ceremony symbolizes the formal transfer of power and responsibility.

那顶镶嵌宝石的冠代表着至高无上的权威。

Nà dǐng xiāngqiàn bǎoshí de miǎnguàn dàibiǎo zhe zhìgāowúshàng de quánwēi.

That gem-encrusted crown represents supreme authority.

历史学家正在研究那顶出土玉的文化含义。

Lìshǐ xuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū nà dǐng chūtǔ yù miǎn de wénhuà hányì.

Historians are studying the cultural significance of that unearthed jade crown.