Tianchi
/tʰjɛn˥ tʂʰɻ̩˧˥/noun
A Chinese name meaning “Heavenly Lake,” especially used for the volcanic crater lake on Changbai Mountain.
Did you know?Lake Tianchi, also called Heaven Lake, is associated with long-standing reports of the cryptid-like “Lake Tianchi Monster,” making its celestial name unexpectedly occult in modern folklore.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
天池
“A compound of 天, “heaven” or “sky,” and 池, “pond” or “lake.””
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
天池
“The written form continued to mean “heavenly lake” or “lake of heaven.””
Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin
tiānchí
“A common noun and place-name meaning “Heavenly Lake.””
20th Century
English
Tianchi
“English transliteration of the Chinese name, particularly associated with Changbai Mountain’s volcanic crater lake.”