# Cong

/ˈkɔŋ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cong
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a type of ancient Chinese object made of jade that is shaped like a tube with a square outside and a round hole inside. These were often buried with important people thousands of years ago.

For teachers: a form of ancient Chinese jade artifact consisting of a rectangular or square outer section with a hollow cylindrical interior. Typically associated with the Liangzhu culture, these objects are found in funerary contexts and are thought to represent cosmological or ritual significance.

## Examples

- The museum displayed a beautifully carved jade cong.
- Archaeologists discovered several jade cong placed around the head and feet of the deceased in the Neolithic tomb.
- The intricate masks carved into the corners of the jade cong suggest a sophisticated level of craftsmanship and a complex system of religious beliefs during the Liangzhu period.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in archaeological or art historical texts; the plural can be either 'cong' or 'congs'.

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