About
禊 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 礻 (spirit/altar) on the left and the phonetic element 契 on the right. The radical places it within the domain of religious or spiritual rituals. Historically, it specifically denotes an ancient purification ceremony performed to cleanse evil influences and prevent disease. These rites were traditionally held by a riverbank during seasonal transitions, especially in spring or autumn. The character is most famously known through its association with the Lanting Pavilion gathering, where scholars performed this riverside purification before composing poetry.