匣

Denotes a small chest or case, typically rectangular and lidded, used to store valuables, documents, or personal items.

Compared with 箱 (상), which denotes a larger storage chest, 匣 refers to compact containers, often made of wood, lacquer, or metal.

A phono-semantic compound, consisting of:

匚 (상자 방) — semantic component, meaning “box” or “container.”

甲 (갑옷 갑) — phonetic component, providing the sound gap and conveying the idea of something enclosed or covered.

Thus, 匣 literally signifies “a covered or enclosed box.”

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「匣，小篋也。从匚，甲聲。」

“匣 means a small chest or box (小篋); composed of 匚 (‘container’) and 甲 (‘phonetic’).”

匣子 (갑자) — small box, case

牙匣 (아갑) — tooth box or small container for ornaments

寶匣 (보갑) — treasure casket

金匣 (금갑) — golden case or reliquary

書匣 (서갑) — case for scrolls or documents

玉匣 (옥갑) — jade box; casket for precious items

棺匣 (관갑) — inner coffin or casket within a coffin

In classical literature, 匣 symbolizes containment, secrecy, and preservation.

It frequently appears in idioms and poetry as a metaphor for:

- hidden talent or virtue (匣中之寶, “a treasure kept in a box”),

- memory and nostalgia (舊信匣, “old letter box”),

- the heart as a chest of feelings (心如玉匣, “a heart like a jade casket”).

「懷余佩玉之竒寶兮，何不庇余以匣藏？」 (楚辭·九章)

“I cherish my precious jade ornaments — why not shelter me and store them within a casket?” (Chu Ci, Chapter Nine)

Here 匣 represents the protective enclosure of what is precious, literal or metaphorical.

In funerary texts and Buddhist translations, 匣 denotes a reliquary or inner container for sacred remains — often made of precious materials such as jade or gold.

The word also appears in Daoist alchemical writings, referring to containers used to store elixirs or talismans, symbolizing the enclosure of spiritual essence.