爵

Glyph origin
of an alcohol vessel in the shape of a sparrow. Many variants showed a hand holding it, now written as. In the seal script form, the topmost and middle sections of the vessel are combined, while the legs have corrupted into. In the modern form, top and middle sections of the vessel are separated into and  respectively. The bottom right sub-component similar to is a simplification of 鬯.

Etymology
The sense of feudal title or rank was transferred from the ancient practice of conferring alcohol vessels on meritorious workers (who would also go on to attain the higher feudal ranks).

Definitions

 * 1)   drinking vessel with three supporting feet
 * 2) feudal title or rank

Kanji

 * 1) jue (vessel)
 * 2) peerage