三牲

sānshēng

noun

Meanings

1 the three sacrificial animals (originally cow, sheep, and pig; later pig, chicken, and fish)
2 ritual offerings of three meats

Characters

sacrificial animal; livestock

Examples

祭祀时要准备三牲。

Jìsì shí yào zhǔnbèi sānshēng.

The three sacrificial animals must be prepared for the rite.

供桌上摆着三牲和水果。

Gōngzhuō shàng bǎi zhe sānshēng hé shuǐguǒ.

The offering table holds the three sacrificial meats and fruit.

Tips

culture

In ancient ritual (大三牲 / 太牢), 三牲 was ox, sheep, pig — reserved for emperors and Heaven. The folk version (小三牲 / 少牢) is pig, chicken, fish, still common in Taiwanese and southern Chinese ancestor worship today.

Stroke Order

三 sān

牲 shēng