Chai (two-pronged hairpin)
钗
Not equivalent to
English “hairpin” covers several distinct Chinese forms. A chai (two-pronged hairpin) is not interchangeable with Zan (hairpin).
- Worn at
- hair
- Requires piercing
- No
- Objects in catalogue
- 0
How to tell it apart
The defining feature is two prongs, not decoration. English-language sources routinely translate both zan and chai as "hairpin", which hides a real formal distinction.