锡安 (Xīān): Zion

Meanings

1 Zion
2 Mount Zion

Characters

锡

xī

tin (metal) — used phonetically

安

ān

peace / safe — used phonetically

Examples

锡安在圣经中象征着上帝的居所。

Xīān zài Shèngjīng zhōng xiàngzhēng zhe Shàngdì de jūsuǒ.

Zion symbolizes God's dwelling place in the Bible.

现代以色列建国运动也被称为锡安主义。

Xiàndài Yǐsèliè jiànguó yùndòng yě bèi chēngwéi Xīān zhǔyì.

The modern movement to establish a Jewish state is also called Zionism.

Tips

culture

锡安 (Zion) has layered meaning: in the Hebrew Bible it refers to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount; in modern politics it underpins 锡安主义 (Zionism), the movement for a Jewish homeland; in Rastafari it represents an earthly paradise; and in pop culture it is the name of the last human city in The Matrix trilogy.