Definitions

jǐn nuptial wine cup

Etymology phono-semantic

seal

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character is formed by combining the upper component (chéng), which provides the visual structure and a historical phonetic clue, with the lower component (jǐ) or the variant . It refers specifically to a nuptial wine cup: a single gourd split in half to create two matching cups. In traditional wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom each drank from one half, the shared gourd symbolizing their union. The character thus remains tied to this matrimonial custom.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern