獬豸

xièzhì
noun

Meanings

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

Examples

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.
Gǔdài fǎguān de guānmào jiào "xièzhì guān".
The hat worn by ancient judges was called the "xiezhi cap."

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 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

xiè
zhì