九五 (jiǔ wǔ) — (noun) the imperial throne; supreme imperial power (from the I Ching hexagram); (noun, historical) the number combination 9-5, representing the emperor's authority

Definition

Historical term for 'the imperial throne / supreme imperial power' — from the I Ching hexagram 九五 (line 5 of hexagram 9, the most auspicious line), symbolizing the emperor's authority.

noun
the imperial thronesupreme imperial power (from the I Ching hexagram)
numeral
(noun, historical) the number combination 9-5, representing the emperor's authority

Examples

  • 九五。
    Gǔ dài huáng dì bèi chēng wéi jiǔ wǔ zhī zūn.
    Ancient emperors were called the supreme status of the nine-five.
  • 九五。
    Zhè ge gù shi jiǎng de shì jiǔ wǔ zhì zūn de lái lì.
    This story tells the origin of the supreme imperial power.
  • 九五。
    Pǔ tōng rén bù gǎn yì lùn jiǔ wǔ zhī wèi.
    Common people did not dare discuss the position of the imperial throne.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape comes from a stylized hand bent at the wrist, with the lower-right hook showing the bend. Later, it was taken to show a tightened fist bumping up to ten, giving the number nine.

Open 九 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

An older form had a crossed mark between a top bar and a bottom bar. The modern 五 keeps those bars, while the original idea is uncertain.

Open 五 →

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