zuò
阼
ancient eastern steps; accession
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
eastern steps of a main hall (in ancient Chinese architecture, where the host stood to greet guests)
archaicIn traditional Chinese architecture, the main hall had two sets of steps: the eastern steps (阼阶) reserved for the host (主人) and the western steps (西阶) for guests. The character is also used in the phrase 登阼 (ascend the eastern steps) as a metonym for ascending the throne or assuming power.
Zhǔ主
rén人
jiù就
zuò阼
jiē阶
ér而
lì立
。
The host stood by the eastern steps.
Gǔ古
dài代
tiān天
zǐ子
dēng登
zuò阼
，
biǎo表
shì示
jí即
wèi位
。
In ancient times, when the Son of Heaven ascended the eastern steps, it signified his accession to the throne.
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Lì莅
zuò阼
yǐ以
lín临
qún群
chén臣
。
He took his position on the eastern steps to oversee his ministers.