Page 380 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
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A-Z 373
The eight trigrams, with the yin-yang symbol in the centre
Tripod
Tripod
ding
Bronze tripods dating from the middle of the second millennium BC have been found.
They were probably developed from earlier forms of cooking pot, but they soon acquired
special significance as vessels used on state occasions. Indeed, it was believed that
dominion over the Middle Kingdom was connected with possession of the nine
tripods. Legend has it that it was Huang-di who introduced this symbol, but in fact as far
back as the Zhou Dynasty (1050–256 BC) nine tripods were in ceremonial use to
represent the nine provinces.
The three feet represent the three senior dignitaries supporting the Emperor. The loss
of even one of these tripods was taken as heralding the end of the dynasty. Today, the
tripod maintains its status as one of the good luck symbols ( precious things).
