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The character 笄 refers to an ancient hairpin, typically of bamboo, used to secure topknots or ornate hairstyles. It is a phonosemantic compound: the top element 竹 (bamboo) provides the meaning, and the bottom element 幵 supplies the pronunciation. In addition to this literal sense, 笄 denotes a significant coming-of-age ceremony for girls, known as jī or jīlǐ, performed when a young woman turned fifteen. Her hair was formally bound with a pin, symbolizing her entry into adulthood and marriageability according to classical tradition.
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