guóhuī: 国徽 - National Emblem, Coat of Arms

• Keywords: guohui, 国徽, National Emblem of China, Chinese coat of arms, People's Republic of China emblem, Tiananmen emblem, Chinese national symbol, PRC emblem, Chinese seal
• Summary: The 国徽 (guóhuī) is the official National Emblem of the People's Republic of China, a powerful symbol representing the nation's sovereignty and political ideology. Featuring the Tiananmen Gate under five stars, encircled by sheaves of wheat and rice with a cogwheel at the base, the Chinese coat of arms symbolizes the nation's revolutionary spirit and the unity of its people led by the Communist Party. It is a formal symbol seen on passports, government buildings, and official documents.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guó huī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The official national emblem or coat of arms of a country.
• In a Nutshell: 国徽 (guóhuī) is the formal, legally protected seal of a nation. For China, it's the circular red and gold symbol that acts as the state's official signature. Think of it not just as a picture, but as a condensed visual statement of the country's identity, history, and political foundations, carrying the full authority of the government.

• 国 (guó): This character means “country,” “nation,” or “state.” It's a pictograph of a boundary or border (囗) surrounding the character for “jade” (玉), symbolizing the precious land and people within the nation's borders.
• 徽 (huī): This character means “emblem,” “insignia,” or “badge.” It represents a symbol or mark used for identification and honor.

When combined, 国 (guó) and 徽 (huī) form a very literal and clear term: “nation's emblem.”

The 国徽 of the People's Republic of China is not merely a decorative symbol; it is a profound political statement designed after the founding of the PRC in 1949. Each element is carefully chosen:

• Tiananmen Gate: This is the centerpiece, representing the gate where Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China. It symbolizes the “new China” and its revolutionary heritage.
• The Five Stars: Directly above Tiananmen, these are borrowed from the national flag. The large star represents the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the four smaller stars represent the four social classes united under it: the working class, the peasantry, the urban petite bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie.
• Sheaves of Wheat and Rice: These frame the circle and symbolize the nation's agricultural workers and peasantry—the foundation of the rural revolution.
• The Cogwheel: At the bottom of the emblem, the gear or cogwheel represents the industrial working class (the proletariat).

Comparison to Western Coats of Arms: A Western coat of arms, like that of the United Kingdom, often features symbols of royalty (crowns), historical lineage (lions, unicorns), and military history (shields). They are rooted in feudalism and heredity. The Chinese 国徽, by contrast, is entirely modern and ideological. It doesn't represent a family or a monarch, but a political system and the classes of people it claims to champion. It is a symbol of revolution and state ideology, not ancient tradition or noble bloodlines.

The 国徽 is used exclusively in formal, official contexts and its use is protected by law. You will see it in the following places:

• Official Documents: It is stamped on passports, official government announcements, legal documents, and diplomatic correspondence.
• Government Buildings: It is displayed prominently above the entrances to government offices, courthouses, embassies, and consulates.
• Currency: It appears on Chinese Yuan (RMB) coins and banknotes.
• State Functions: It is used as a backdrop for major state ceremonies and official press conferences.

The connotation is always serious, formal, and authoritative. Using the 国徽 for commercial advertising, as a personal decoration, or in any disrespectful manner is strictly prohibited and illegal in China.

• Example 1:
  • 中国护照的封面上印有金色的国徽。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó hùzhào de fēngmiàn shàng yìn yǒu jīnsè de guóhuī.
  • English: The cover of a Chinese passport is printed with the golden national emblem.
  • Analysis: This is one of the most common places a person encounters the 国徽.
• Example 2:
  • 人民大会堂的入口上方悬挂着巨大的国徽。
  • Pinyin: Rénmín Dàhuìtáng de rùkǒu shàngfāng xuánguà zhe jùdà de guóhuī.
  • English: A huge national emblem hangs above the entrance of the Great Hall of the People.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the official and prominent display of the emblem on a key government building.
• Example 3:
  • 老师正在向学生们解释国徽上每个图案的象征意义。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī zhèngzài xiàng xuéshēngmen jiěshì guóhuī shàng měi ge tú'àn de xiàngzhēng yìyì.
  • English: The teacher is explaining the symbolic meaning of each pattern on the national emblem to the students.
  • Analysis: Highlights the educational context and the symbolic importance of the emblem.
• Example 4:
  • 这份法律文件的真实性由这个国徽印章来证明。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn fǎlǜ wénjiàn de zhēnshíxìng yóu zhège guóhuī yìnzhāng lái zhèngmíng.
  • English: The authenticity of this legal document is certified by this national emblem seal.
  • Analysis: This shows the 国徽 used as an official seal, signifying state authority and legality.
• Example 5:
  • 每一枚一元硬币的背面都有国徽的图案。
  • Pinyin: Měi yī méi yī yuán yìngbì de bèimiàn dōu yǒu guóhuī de tú'àn.
  • English: The back of every one-yuan coin has the design of the national emblem.
  • Analysis: A practical, everyday example of where to find the 国徽.
• Example 6:
  • 中华人民共和国国徽的设计体现了国家的根本性质。
  • Pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó guóhuī de shèjì tǐxiàn le guójiā de gēnběn xìngzhì.
  • English: The design of the National Emblem of the People's Republic of China reflects the fundamental nature of the country.
  • Analysis: A formal sentence explaining the deep political meaning behind the emblem's design.
• Example 7:
  • 在庄严的仪式上，仪仗队护送着带有国徽的旗帜。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhuāngyán de yíshì shàng, yízhàngduì hùsòng zhe dài yǒu guóhuī de qízhì.
  • English: In the solemn ceremony, the honor guard escorted the flag bearing the national emblem.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in highly formal state ceremonies. Note that special ceremonial flags might feature the emblem, though it's not on the standard national flag.
• Example 8:
  • 任何组织和个人都不得滥用国徽。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé zǔzhī hé gèrén dōu bùdé lànyòng guóhuī.
  • English: No organization or individual is allowed to misuse the national emblem.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches upon the legal restrictions surrounding the emblem's use.
• Example 9:
  • 中国驻外大使馆的建筑上总能看到鲜艳的五星红旗和庄严的国徽。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhùwài dàshǐguǎn de jiànzhù shàng zǒng néng kàndào xiānyàn de wǔxīng-hóngqí hé zhuāngyán de guóhuī.
  • English: On the buildings of Chinese embassies abroad, one can always see the bright Five-star Red Flag and the solemn national emblem.
  • Analysis: This shows the emblem's role in representing the nation internationally.
• Example 10:
  • 国徽中的齿轮代表工人阶级，谷穗代表农民阶级。
  • Pinyin: Guóhuī zhōng de chǐlún dàibiǎo gōngrén jiējí, gǔsuì dàibiǎo nóngmín jiējí.
  • English: The cogwheel in the national emblem represents the working class, and the grain sheaves represent the peasantry.
  • Analysis: A direct explanation of the emblem's core symbolism, perfect for a textbook or guide.

• 国徽 (guóhuī) vs. 国旗 (guóqí): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 国徽 (guóhuī): National Emblem (the circular symbol with Tiananmen).
  • 国旗 (guóqí): National Flag (the red flag with five yellow stars).
  • They are often seen together but are not interchangeable. You raise the flag (升国旗, shēng guóqí), but you display or hang the emblem (悬挂国徽, xuánguà guóhuī).
• Not a “Logo”: Do not refer to the 国徽 as a “logo” (商标, shāngbiāo). A logo is a commercial symbol for a brand or company. The 国徽 is a sacred state symbol with legal and political weight. Calling it a logo is a serious misunderstanding of its function and importance.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Wrong: 我想买一件印有国徽的T恤。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī jiàn yìn yǒu guóhuī de T-xù.) - “I want to buy a T-shirt with the national emblem printed on it.”
  • Why it's wrong: The Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Emblem strictly forbids its use on “articles of everyday life” and trademarks. This usage is disrespectful and illegal. The symbol is reserved for the state, not for personal decoration or commerce.

• 国旗 (guóqí) - National Flag. The primary national symbol alongside the emblem and anthem.
• 国歌 (guógē) - National Anthem. The official song of the nation.
• 象征 (xiàngzhēng) - Symbol; To symbolize. A general term used to discuss what the elements of the 国徽 represent.
• 天安门 (Tiān'ānmén) - The “Gate of Heavenly Peace,” the central feature of the 国徽 and a major landmark in Beijing.
• 护照 (hùzhào) - Passport. The most common official document where individuals see the 国徽.
• 政府 (zhèngfǔ) - Government. The primary user and authority represented by the 国徽.
• 庄严 (zhuāngyán) - Solemn; Stately. An adjective often used to describe the 国徽 and the occasions where it is displayed.
• 中华人民共和国 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) - The official name of the country (the PRC) that the emblem represents.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. Relevant because the use of the 国徽 is strictly regulated by law.