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觥 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 角 ('horn') on the left signals the material, while the phonetic component 光 ('light') gives a pronunciation of guāng, which shifts to gōng in the character. It refers to a large, historical drinking vessel or wine cup originally carved from animal horn, often employed during formal banquets, ceremonies, and ritual occasions. The character appears frequently in literary depictions of lavish feasts and celebrations marked by heavy wine consumption. The horn radical points to the original crafting material, and the phonetic element helps differentiate it from other kinds of cups and containers.
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