bèi

孛

Character · Noun

ancient term for a comet; luminous comet

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 2 examples
1.

noun

(classical) a comet; a luminous comet

archaic

An archaic term specifically describing a comet that appears bright and radiant. Found in classical Chinese texts, not used in modern language.

Gǔ古
shū书
yǒu有
zǎi载
 ，
 “
bèi孛
xīng星
 ”
xiàn现
 ，
tiān天
xià下
kǒng恐
yǒu有
yì异
xiàng象
 。

Ancient texts record that when a "bèi star" (comet) appears, the world may witness unusual phenomena.

Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
zhān占
xīng星
xué学
zhōng中
 ，
bèi孛
xīng星
bèi被
rèn认
wéi为
shì是
bù不
xiáng祥
zhī之
zhào兆
 。

In ancient astrology, the bèi star (comet) was considered an ill omen.