鼎被視為傳國(guó)重器、國(guó)家和權(quán)的象征，“鼎”字也被賦予“顯赫”、“ 尊貴”、“盛大”等引申意義，如：一言九鼎、大名鼎鼎、鼎盛時(shí)期、鼎力相助，等等。鼎又是旌功記績(jī)的禮器。周代的國(guó)君或王公大臣在重大慶典或接受賞賜時(shí)都要鑄鼎，以記載盛況。這種禮俗至今仍然有一定影響。為慶賀聯(lián)合國(guó)50華誕，中華人民共和國(guó)于1995年10月21日在聯(lián)合國(guó)總部，向聯(lián)合國(guó)贈(zèng)送一尊青銅巨鼎——世紀(jì)寶鼎。西藏和平解放50周年慶典之際，中央政府向西藏自治區(qū)贈(zèng)送“民族團(tuán)結(jié)寶鼎”，矗立于拉薩人民會(huì)堂廣場(chǎng)，象征民族團(tuán)結(jié)和西藏各項(xiàng)事業(yè)鼎盛發(fā)展。此舉意義深遠(yuǎn)，文化內(nèi)涵豐厚。以四羊方尊為代表的青銅器既保留了原始的圖騰崇拜，又有替代羊作為犧牲獻(xiàn)祭給神明的意思，同時(shí)還包含了對(duì)羊等家畜養(yǎng)殖興旺的期盼，也可能萌芽了后世關(guān)于羊的種種觀念。

Ding is regarded as the symbol of the nation, the state and power, and the word "Ding" is also endowed with the extended meaning of "prominence", "dignity" and "grandeur". For example, the word "Ding" has nine meanings, such as "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding", "Ding" Ding is also a ritual instrument to record achievements. In the Zhou Dynasty, the emperor or the prince or minister had to cast a tripod to record the grand occasion when they were celebrating or receiving a reward. This custom still has some influence. In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nation, the People's Republic of China presented a huge bronze tripod, Century Treasure Ding, to the United Nation at its headquarters on 21 October 1995. On the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, the Central Government presented the Tibetan Autonomous Region with the "treasure tripod of national unity", which stands on the Plaza of the Lhasa People's Hall, symbolizing national unity and the prosperous development of various undertakings in Tibet. This action has profound significance and rich cultural connotation.