Definitions
(noun)
ancient three-legged bronze cauldron; tripod
(noun)
peak (of prosperity, power)
Etymology
Pictograph of an ancient cooking pot with two handles and three or four legs.
About
The character "鼎" derives from a pictographic depiction of a large, three-legged bronze cauldron employed in ceremonial and cooking contexts in ancient China, with its traditional form structurally echoing the vessel's outline including its legs and handles. Initially representing the physical object, which served as an emblem of political power and ritual significance, its semantic range extended over time to encompass abstract notions such as stability, authority, and the act of establishment, observable in lexical compounds like "鼎立" for a tripartite balance or "鼎盛" denoting a peak period. In compositional terms, "鼎" operates as an independent radical, and its contemporary configuration maintains the essential visual elements that have consistently symbolized the cauldron's form and associated meanings.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个青铜鼎很古老。
唐朝文化鼎盛繁荣。
考古学家发现了古代的鼎。
双方鼎力合作完成项目。
鼎在古代是权力象征。
尽管鼎身有裂痕，价值却很高。
该城市在经济发展上处于鼎盛阶段。
在考古发掘中，出土的鼎为我们提供了重要线索。