Definitions
large earthenware wine jar
Etymology
About
The character 罍 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 缶 (clay vessel) at the bottom and the phonetic component 畾 (three stacked field characters) at the top. The radical places it within the category of containers, specifically denoting an ancient, large vessel used for storing wine or water in banquets and rituals. Typically made of bronze or pottery, the vessel had a distinctive form with a narrow neck, broad shoulders, and ring handles. The character remains closely tied to this specific archaeological object, functioning solely as a noun for this ceremonial receptacle without developing broader abstract meanings.
Etymology Hide
