胞衣 (bāoyī): afterbirth

Meanings

1 afterbirth
2 placenta and fetal membranes

Characters

胞

Examples

传统习俗里，胞衣常被埋在屋后。

Chuántǒng xísú lǐ, bāoyī cháng bèi mái zài wū hòu.

In traditional custom, the afterbirth was often buried behind the house.

中医药典中胞衣称为紫河车。

Zhōngyī yàodiǎn zhōng bāoyī chēng wéi zǐhéchē.

In traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia, the placenta is called ‘zihecheh’ (purple river chariot).

Tips

culture

Literally ‘womb-clothing’ — Chinese folk tradition treated the 胞衣 as spiritually tied to the newborn, often buried in a special spot to protect the child's fortune. The TCM term 紫河车 (zǐhéchē) refers to dried placenta used as a tonic.