璧

bì

玉 + 辟

Definitions

bì jade annulus

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 玉 represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.

Semantic: 玉 Phonetic: 辟

About

璧 is a phono-semantic compound: 玉 (jade) indicates the meaning, while 辟 supplies the sound. It refers to a flat, circular jade disk with a round hole in the center, used in ancient China as a ceremonial object, a marker of high social status, and a prestigious gift in diplomacy. Because flawless jade was so highly prized, the character also gained metaphorical use in literature to describe things of perfect beauty, roundness, or purity, such as the full moon or an untarnished reputation.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一块璧玉。

Zhè shì yī kuài bì yù.

This is a jade disc.

璧玉的颜色很漂亮。

Bì yù de yánsè hěn piàoliang.

The color of the jade disc is very beautiful.

博物馆里展示着古代璧。

Bówùguǎn lǐ zhǎnshì zhe gǔdài bì.

Ancient jade discs are displayed in the museum.

她仔细地清洁那块璧玉。

Tā zǐxì de qīngjié nà kuài bì yù.

She carefully cleans that jade disc.

这块璧玉的历史非常悠久。

Zhè kuài bì yù de lìshǐ fēicháng yōujiǔ.

This jade disc has a very long history.

虽然璧玉很小，但做工极其精致。

Suīrán bì yù hěn xiǎo, dàn zuògōng jíqí jīngzhì.

Although the jade disc is small, its craftsmanship is extremely exquisite.

如果璧玉出现裂纹，价值就会降低。

Rúguǒ bì yù chūxiàn lièwén, jiàzhí jiù huì jiàngdī.

If cracks appear on the jade disc, its value will decrease.

通过对比材质和纹饰，学者推断这块璧玉属于战国时期。

Tōngguò duìbǐ cáizhì hé wénshì, xuézhě tuīduàn zhè kuài bì yù shǔyú Zhànguó shíqī.

By comparing the material and patterns, scholars infer that this jade disc belongs to the Warring States period.

Related Characters

Component: 玉

Component: 辟

Example Words