周公 (zhōu gōng) — Duke of Zhou (historical figure, culture hero)

Definition

周公 refers to Ji Dan, the Duke of Zhou — a founder and regent of the Western Zhou dynasty and a Confucian culture hero of virtue and ritual. He often appears as a cultural reference rather than a historical subject.

noun
Duke of Zhou (historical figure, culture hero)

Examples

  • 周公。
    zhōu gōng Shì zhōu cháo de zhòng yào rén wù.
    The Duke of Zhou was an important figure of the Zhou dynasty.
  • 周公。
    Tā jīng cháng mèng jiàn zhōu gōng.
    He often dreams of the Duke of Zhou.
  • 周公。
    Kǒng zǐ fēi cháng zūn jìng zhōu gōng.
    Confucius greatly respected the Duke of Zhou.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

The oldest form of 周 drew a jade artifact with carved patterns. It was later borrowed for a place name, so an extra mark was added to distinguish it.

Open 周 →

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

One theory sees 公 as a picture of a wide-mouthed, round-bottomed jar.

Open 公 →

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