銮

鑾

luán

亦 + 金

Definitions

luán imperial

Etymology

A bell 金 dangling from a tassel 亦

About

The simplified character 銮 (luán) reduces the intricate traditional form 鑾. It combines the metal radical 金 (jīn), representing a bell, with 亦, depicting a tassel, to form an image of a bell dangling from a tassel. Originally, it referred specifically to small bronze bells attached to imperial carriage harnesses that produced a rhythmic ringing when the emperor traveled. Through metonymy, the character came to signify the imperial carriage itself, and later the monarch's journey or physical presence.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这座金銮殿很壮观。

Zhè zuò jīnluándiàn hěn zhuàngguān.

This Golden Bell Hall is magnificent.

銮驾停在宫殿前。

Luánjià tíng zài gōngdiàn qián.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the palace.

皇帝乘坐銮舆出行。

Huángdì chéngzuò luányú chūxíng.

The emperor travels by imperial carriage.

金銮殿里举行盛大典礼。

Jīnluándiàn lǐ jǔxíng shèngdà diǎnlǐ.

A grand ceremony is held in the Golden Bell Hall.

銮铃的声音清脆悦耳。

Luánlíng de shēngyīn qīngcuì yuè'ěr.

The sound of the imperial bells is clear and pleasant.

他们参观了古代的金銮殿遗址。

Tāmen cānguānle gǔdài de jīnluándiàn yízhǐ.

They visited the ruins of the ancient Golden Bell Hall.

銮驾的装饰非常华丽精致。

Luánjià de zhuāngshì fēicháng huálì jīngzhì.

The decorations on the imperial carriage are very luxurious and exquisite.

在历史书中，金銮殿象征着皇权。

Zài lìshǐ shū zhōng, jīnluándiàn xiàngzhēngzhe huángquán.

In history books, the Golden Bell Hall symbolizes imperial power.

Related Characters

Component: 亦

Component: 金

銮