📖 Meaning
An ancient Han dynasty practice where a minister who had committed a grave offense would carry a basin of water and place a sword upon it, signifying his willingness to take his own life as punishment. It represents a dignified form of self-punishment afforded to high-ranking officials. The phrase later came to symbolize honorable self-reproach and the acceptance of severe consequences.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Book of Han' (《汉书·贾谊传》), where the scholar Jia Yi of the Western Han dynasty described how ministers facing serious charges would don a white cap with yak-hair tassels, carry a basin of water with a sword laid across it, and proceed to the designated chamber to await judgment. This ritual allowed officials to end their own lives with dignity rather than being bound and dragged away. The practice reflected the Confucian ideal of preserving the honor of senior officials. The Ming dynasty 'History of Ming' (《明史·刑法志》) also cites Liu Ji invoking this custom when discussing proper treatment of ministers.
💡 Example Usage
古者公卿有罪，盘水加剑，诣请室自裁，未尝轻折辱之。
In ancient times, when high ministers committed offenses, they would carry a basin of water and a sword, go to the designated chamber, and take their own lives, never lightly subjected to humiliation.
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 盘水加剑
- Pinyin: pan shui jia jian
- Literal Translation: basin of water, add, sword
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4