longevity lock; lucky charm for children
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
lock-shaped ornament worn around a child's neck as a symbol of longevity
A traditional Chinese custom where family members gift this ornament to newborns or young children to bless them with a long and healthy life. Usually made of silver or gold.
Nǎi奶
nai奶
gěi给
gāng刚
chū出
shēng生
de的
sūn孙
zi子
mǎi买
le了
yī一
bǎ把
yín银
zhì质
de的
cháng长
mìng命
suǒ锁
。
Grandma bought a silver longevity lock for her newborn grandson.
Àn按
zhào照
chuán传
tǒng统
xí习
sú俗
，
cháng长
mìng命
suǒ锁
yào要
dài戴
dào到
hái孩
zi子
shí十
èr二
suì岁
cái才
néng能
qǔ取
xià下
。
According to traditional customs, the longevity lock should be worn until the child turns twelve before it can be removed.
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Zhè这
gè个
cháng长
mìng命
suǒ锁
shang上
kè刻
zhe着
"
cháng长
mìng命
bǎi百
suì岁
"
sì四
gè个
zì字
。
This longevity lock is engraved with the four characters for "long life of one hundred years."