Yi (vessel)

An yi in the collections of the Shanghai Museum.
Yi
Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin
Wade–Gilesi2
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese*laj

A yi is a shape used in ancient Chinese ritual bronzes. It has the shape of half a gourd with a handle (often in the shape of a dragon) and usually supported by four legs. It is believed it was used to contain water for washing hands before rituals like sacrifices.