笏
- a court tablet or baton, held by officials during formal audiences to record or recite state affairs;
By extension, a symbol of official authority, rank, and decorum.
Etymology
Phono-semantic compound consisting of:
竹 (대 죽) — semantic component, indicating bamboo or objects made of it.
勿 (말 물) — phonetic component, giving the sound hù / hol.
In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字), Xu Shen defines:
「笏，朝君所持也。从竹勿聲。」
“笏 is that which ministers hold when appearing before the ruler; composed of 竹 (bamboo) and the sound 勿.”
Early bronze and seal script forms already display the image of a slender bamboo slip, symbolizing the hand-held ceremonial tablet used in court ritual.
Usage in Korean
笏 (홀) — court baton, ceremonial tablet
玉笏 (옥홀) — jade baton (used by high ministers)
牙笏 (아홀) — ivory baton (for middle-rank officials)
竹笏 (죽홀) — bamboo baton (for lower officials)
笏記 (홀기) — written notes on a court baton
笏板 (홀판) — formal term for the same object
In traditional usage, the hol (笏) was held in both hands before the chest when addressing the monarch, symbolizing loyalty and propriety.
Officials often wrote reminders or petitions upon its surface, hence the expression 홀기(笏記) — “notes on the tablet.”
Additional notes
The Book of Rites (禮記·玉藻) records:
「士執竹笏，大夫象笏，卿玉笏。」
“The scholar holds a bamboo tablet, the grand officer one of ivory, and the high minister one of jade.”
This passage defines the hierarchical materials of the hol, each grade reflecting the bearer’s rank.
The Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典) notes:
「笏，朝所執也，有竹、象、玉之別。」
“笏 is what one holds in audience; it is made of bamboo, ivory, or jade according to rank.”
In Korean court culture, the 홀(笏) was inherited from Chinese ritual practice and used through the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.
Kings received memorials from officials bearing the hol in both hands.
Ministers at court assemblies (조회) always held the hol as a sign of reverence.
Special designs, such as 옥홀 (jade hol) or 아홀 (ivory hol), denoted office rank and ceremonial dignity.
Thus, 笏 embodies both material craftsmanship and moral decorum — a slender emblem of service, reminding the official to speak with measure and uprightness before the sovereign.
- 竹心竹竹 (HPHH)
- ⿱ 𥫗 勿
