Definitions

xíng soup cauldron; (arch.) sacrificial tripod with two handles and a lid; old variant of 硎[xíng]

Etymology

About

is a phono-semantic compound: the metal radical (jīn) on the left marks it as a metal object, and (xíng) on the right gives the pronunciation. Its traditional form is , using the full radical . Historically, it denoted a small, lidded bronze cauldron, a sacrificial vessel, used to hold soup or broth during ancient ceremonies. Because the physical object fell out of use with changes in ritual practices and everyday culinary technology, the character is now found only in historical texts, archaeological descriptions, and academic studies of classical Chinese ritual paraphernalia.