獬豸

xièzhì

noun

Meanings

1 Xiezhi (mythical Chinese unicorn-like beast that detects guilt)
2 legendary creature symbolizing justice

Characters

(part of 獬豸)

legless insect / mythical beast

Examples

HSK 6

古代法官的官帽叫"獬豸冠"。

Gǔdài fǎguān de guān mào jiào " xièzhì guān ".

The hat worn by ancient judges was called the "xiezhi cap."

HSK 7-9

传说獬豸能辨别是非，会用角顶撞罪人。

Chuánshuō xièzhì néng biànbié shìfēi, huì yòng jiǎo dǐngzhuàng zuìrén.

Legend says the xiezhi can tell right from wrong and butts the guilty with its horn.

Tips

culture

The xiezhi is a one-horned mythical beast said to be able to sense who is in the wrong and gore them. From Han times it became the symbol of legal officials - judges' caps and robes were embroidered with it. Today it remains an emblem of Chinese law schools and courts.

In Pop Culture

獬豸冠 xièzhì guān

Xiezhi cap

Headwear of imperial-era Chinese judges, depicting the mythical creature; modern Chinese supreme court iconography still references the xiezhi.

Stroke Order

獬 xiè

豸 zhì