Definitions
(noun)
ancient three-legged bronze cauldron; tripod
(noun)
peak (of prosperity, power)
Etymology
Pictograph of an ancient cooking pot with two handles and three or four legs.
About
The character "鼎" originates as a pictograph depicting a large, three-legged bronze cauldron, an artifact of both ritual significance and practical use in early Chinese culture, with its modern form still echoing the vessel's distinctive silhouette of a rounded body supported by solid legs. Initially denoting the physical cauldron itself, the term gradually accumulated symbolic weight through its association with state ceremonies and imperial legitimacy, where such vessels were often inscribed and used as symbols of power and societal order. This conceptual expansion allowed "鼎" to transcend its literal meaning, entering the lexical domain to represent concepts of utmost importance, steadfastness, and flourishing, as seen in classical compounds and idioms where it conveys centrality or peak condition. While its graphic structure has maintained a consistent core reflective of its object origin, the character's semantic journey illustrates a shift from a specific material referent to a bearer of abstract cultural and political values.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个青铜鼎很古老。
唐朝文化鼎盛繁荣。
考古学家发现了古代的鼎。
双方鼎力合作完成项目。
鼎在古代是权力象征。
尽管鼎身有裂痕，价值却很高。
该城市在经济发展上处于鼎盛阶段。
在考古发掘中，出土的鼎为我们提供了重要线索。