Definitions

jiā gamma; jewelry

Etymology

Jade  added  to jewelry;  also provides the pronunciation

About

is a phono-semantic compound, a structure in which the radical (the 'jade radical') signals that the character belongs to the domain of precious stones or jade objects, while the right-hand component provides its pronunciation. Historically, it referred to the decorative jade pieces that were hung from the hairpins of aristocratic women at court ceremonies and formal gatherings, an elegant but highly specialized article of adornment. With the passing of traditional hairstyling and the disappearance of such formal attire, the term gradually ceased to be part of everyday language. In modern times, the character primarily appears in personal names, where it is selected for its refined sound and its association with the beauty and prestige of jade.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern