Definitions

jiā gamma; jewelry

Etymology

Jade  added  to jewelry;  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "珈" is etymologically constructed from the semantic radical "玉" (jade) and the phonetic component "加", originally denoting a jade hairpin worn as an ornament in ancient times. Its structural composition has persisted, with the jade element indicating the object's material and "加" correlating to its pronunciation. While the term once specifically referred to this adornment, its usage has diminished over time, and it now survives primarily in historical or literary contexts, sometimes appearing in personal names without retaining its original concrete meaning.

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