seal knob; handle of a seal
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the knob-shaped top of an ancient seal, often carved in the form of a turtle, tiger, lion, or other animal, with a hole for threading a strap
archaicRefers specifically to the decorative and functional top part of traditional Chinese seals (yinzhang), serving as both a handle and a symbol of rank or status.
Zhè这
méi枚
Hàn汉
dài代
tóng铜
yìn印
de的
yìn印
niǔ纽
diāo雕
kè刻
chéng成
yī一
zhī只
fú伏
hǔ虎
。
The knob of this Han Dynasty bronze seal is carved into a crouching tiger.
Yìn印
niǔ纽
shàng上
de的
kǒng孔
shì是
yòng用
lái来
chuān穿
sī丝
dài带
，
yǐ以
biàn便
suí随
shēn身
xié携
dài带
yìn印
zhāng章
。
The hole in the seal knob is used to thread a silk ribbon so the seal can be carried conveniently.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Gǔ古
dài代
guān官
yuán员
de的
yìn印
niǔ纽
xíng形
zhì制
wǎng往
wǎng往
dài代
biǎo表
qí其
pǐn品
jí级
gāo高
dī低
。
The design of the seal knob for ancient officials often indicated their rank.