Purple

紫

Purple

Pronunciation:
zi ( Putonghua, 3rd tone )
ji ( Cantonese 2nd tone )

Basic meaning : Purple

紫 禁城 ( zi jin cheng = purple forbid city ) Beijing's Forbidden City.
紫氣東來 ( zi qi dong lai = purple air/ mist from east come ) means a fairy / guru's auspicious visit.

紫晶 ( zi jing = purple crystal ) = amethyst.
紫貂 ( zi diao = purple sable ) = sable fur.
紫檀 ( zi tan = purple sandalwood ) furniture is expensive / rare.
紫河車 ( zi he che = purple river cart ) is dried human placenta, used in chinese medicine.

紫外線 Ultra violet rays ( zi wai xian = purple external lines / rays ).
紅得發紫 ( hong de fa zi = so red it looks purple ) describes stars / singers' stunning popularity.

by: Raymond Mok莫坤雄