Ding

Not to be confused with Ding wares.

A Shang Dynasty (c. 11th c. BCE) ding on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

• Chinese: 鼎 (dǐng)

Dǐng are an ancient form of Chinese three-legged container, typically made in bronze, and holding ritual significance.

Dǐng first appear in writings about the most ancient of times, the legendary Xia Dynasty. According to the Zuo Zhuan, at some time during the Xia Dynasty (c. 2200-1750 BCE), each of nine provinces produced special bronze vessels as gifts to the ruler. This episode of the nine legendary vessels, known as the Nine Bronze Tripods, or the Nine Ding, continued to be heard of, and spoken of, down through the ages.