bamboo slips and silk; ancient books and records
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
bamboo slips and silk (ancient writing materials); by extension, books, records, and historical annals
literaryA literary term originating from the Warring States to Han dynasty period when bamboo slips (竹简) and silk (帛) were the primary writing surfaces before paper became widespread. Frequently appears in set phrases such as 功垂竹帛 (merits recorded in history) or 名垂竹帛 (fame lasting through the ages), expressing the desire for lasting historical legacy.
Wén文
Tiān天
xiáng祥
de的
zhōng忠
yǒng勇
shì事
jì迹
，
gōng功
chuí垂
zhú竹
bó帛
。
Wen Tianxiang's loyal and brave deeds are recorded in the annals of history.
Gǔ古
dài代
zhòng重
yào要
wén文
xiàn献
duō多
shū书
yú于
zhú竹
bó帛
zhī之
shàng上
。
Important ancient documents were mostly written on bamboo slips and silk.
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Míng名
chuí垂
zhú竹
bó帛
，
shì是
lì历
dài代
wén文
rén人
de的
zuì最
gāo高
zhuī追
qiú求
。
To have one's name recorded in history is the highest pursuit of literati throughout the ages.
Zhè这
xiē些
shǐ史
liào料
dōu都
jì记
zài载
yú于
zhú竹
bó帛
zhī之
zhōng中
。
These historical materials are all recorded in ancient books.