chaste

is composed of 卜(to divine) and , but is actually the variant of (a three legged cauldron), so should be composed of 卜 and . In ancient China, is not only a container for food, possession of is often associated with power and dominion over the land, so the is often used as an implicit symbolism for power. Also, before emperors made their own decisions, they will ask the god by divination, therefore, has the meaning of investigation and research, but such meaning has been replaced by , now means divination. On the other hand, ancient Chinese think that, divination needs faith, so also means chaste and faith.

Vocabulary of 貞

  • 貞節 (chastity
  • virginity of a woman)
  • 堅貞 (faithful
  • chaste)

Classification

Related Characters: