què
城（闕）阙
literary
archaic
Meaning of 城阙
城阙 means watchtower flanking a city gate; palace tower; imperial residence. Pronounced què.
- watchtower flanking a city gate
- palace tower; imperial residence
Definitions & Examples
Yáo遥
wàng望
Cháng长
ān安
，
gōng宫
què阙
wēi巍
é峨
。
Looking from afar at Chang'an, the palace towers stand tall and majestic.
Chéng城
què阙
sēn森
yán严
，
shǒu守
bīng兵
lín林
lì立
。
The city gate watchtowers were stern and heavily guarded with rows of soldiers.
《
Shī诗
jīng经
》
zhōng中
jí即
yǒu有
chéng城
què阙
yī一
cí词
。
The term 'watchtower' already appears in the *Book of Songs*.