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The character 钺, simplified from 鉞, refers to a large, heavy battle-axe used in ancient China both as a weapon and as a ceremonial symbol of authority. Its structure combines the metal radical 钅 (from 金), indicating its material, with the phonetic component 戉, which itself originally depicted an axe, reinforcing its meaning. In history, the 钺 represented military and royal power, often bestowed upon commanders as a token of their right to enforce punishment. Its definition remains closely linked to this historical weapon and its ceremonial role, appearing mainly in historical and archaeological texts.
Etymology Hide
