sacrificial animals; cattle, sheep and pigs
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the three sacrificial animals (cattle, sheep, and pigs used in traditional Chinese rituals)
Traditional Chinese ritual term referring to the three livestock offered in sacrifices to ancestors, deities, or spirits. In some regional variations, the combination may include chicken or fish, but the classical definition refers specifically to cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Gǔ古
dài代
dì帝
wáng王
jì祭
sì祀
tiān天
dì地
shí时
，
bì必
xū须
xiàn献
shàng上
sān三
shēng牲
。
When ancient emperors sacrificed to heaven and earth, they had to offer the three sacrificial animals.
Gòng供
zhuō桌
shàng上
bǎi摆
fàng放
zhe着
sān三
shēng牲
hé和
shuǐ水
guǒ果
。
The offering table was laid out with the three sacrificial animals and fruit.
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Àn按
zhào照
chuán传
tǒng统
xí习
sú俗
，
hūn婚
lǐ礼
yě也
xū需
yào要
zhǔn准
bèi备
sān三
shēng牲
。
According to traditional customs, weddings also require the preparation of the three sacrificial animals.