Definitions
a kind of sacrificial wine used in ancient times
Etymology
Pictograph of a kind of vessel used for holding wine with the small dots in it representing the wine contained in the vessel.
About
The character 鬯 refers to a fragrant sacrificial wine made with aromatic herbs, used in ancient rituals, ancestral offerings, and state banquets. As an independent radical, it functions as a pictograph depicting a vessel containing the wine mixed with millet and herbs. Beyond its ritual purpose, the character's meaning extended to describe vigorous growth, particularly of lush vegetation. Due to its association with ceremonial purity, 鬯 appears mainly in classical texts documenting ancient religious and royal practices.
Etymology Hide
