Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of an ancient ceramic three-legged vessel used for cooking.
About
The character 鬲 (lì or gé) began as a pictograph of an ancient Chinese cooking vessel with three hollow, bulbous legs designed to heat contents efficiently. Early forms depicted its wide mouth, rounded belly, and tripod base. As the physical object faded from use, the character evolved into a radical for related terms like pots and cauldrons. It also gained a secondary role as a phonetic component and surname, moving beyond its original visual representation.
Etymology Hide
