Definitions

cover of tripod kettle

Etymology

About

The character 鼏 combines 鼎, a ceremonial bronze tripod cauldron, with an upper component that visually and phonetically suggests a lid or covering. Together, the stacked structure represents the physical cover used to seal such a vessel, illustrating how Chinese characters form specific nouns by placing the accessory visually atop the main object.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern