Beeswax (fēng là) is a natural wax produced by honeybees, primarily used to build honeycombs. The word combines two characters: 蜂 (fēng), meaning 'bee', and 蜡 (là), meaning 'wax'. Together, they literally mean 'bee wax'—a transparent, yellowish substance secreted by worker bees’ abdominal glands. It’s harvested by beekeepers during honey extraction and valued for its pliability, low melting point, and chemical stability.

In Chinese contexts, 蜂蜡 appears in traditional crafts (e.g., batik and candle-making), herbal medicine (as a base for pills or ointments), and food production (as a coating for cheese or fruit). It’s also used in cosmetics and natural skincare products. Unlike synthetic waxes, it’s biodegradable and non-toxic, making it popular in eco-friendly applications. While not commonly discussed in daily conversation, it’s familiar in agricultural, medicinal, and artisanal settings.