About
The character 蜡, originally formed from the insect radical 虫 and the component 昔, represented a distinct word pronounced zhà for a year-end sacrificial offering. Its traditional form 蠟, constructed with the same radical 虫 and the phonetic component 巤, specifically denoted wax derived from insects or animals. Over centuries, the graph 蜡 was borrowed to express the concept of wax, gradually absorbing the meaning of 蠟 through common usage, which led to its modern primary signification of the substance wax, while its original sacrificial sense faded. The insect radical in both forms consistently alludes to the biological sources of many waxes.
Example Sentences Hide
蜡烛很明亮。
我用蜡笔画画。
她喜欢蜡像馆。
蜡烛在桌子上燃烧。
蜡制工艺品很精美。
蜡烛的光线很柔和。
蜡染是一种传统工艺。
蜡烛的蜡油滴下来了。