礼 lǐ — social custom · English

礼

lǐ

social custom

At a glance · 礼

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「礼」繁体「禮」从示从豊，金文象以器盛玉行礼，小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「礼」本义为祭祀礼仪，引申礼节、礼貌、礼制。

Structure

从示、豊(lǐ)声，形声兼会意，豊象礼器，本为礼仪。简作礼。

At a glance

Pinyinlǐ

Radical礻

Strokes6

UnicodeU+793C

Character type会意

Theme礼乐

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English social custom social custom; manners; courtesy; rites

Français rites / politesse Rites, politesse. «礼别尊卑» : les rites distinguent le haut et le bas.

Español ritos / cortesía Ritos, cortesía. «礼别尊卑»: los ritos distinguen alto y bajo.

العربية طقوس / أدب طقوس، أدب. «礼别尊卑»: الطقوس تميّز العالي والمنخفض.

Русский ритуал / вежливость Ритуал, вежливость. «礼别尊卑»: обряды различают высокое и низкое.

Common words

礼貌lǐ màopoliteness
礼物lǐ wùgift

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