Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Stone (shí) Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 833, Entry 09 Pronounced bi (falling tone) According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is a beautiful blue-green stone. According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing), high mountains possess much blue-green beryl. Guo's commentary states that it is also of the jade variety. Today, Dongshan in Kuaiji County produces beryl. In the Western Capital Rhapsody (Xidu Fu) by Ban Gu, it mentions coral and beryl trees. The commentary states that the Kunlun Mountains have beryl trees. In the Southern Capital Rhapsody (Nandu Fu) by Zhang Heng, it mentions green beryl and purple blossoms. The commentary states that there is sky-blue beryl and green beryl. Additionally, according to the Expanded Rhymes (Zengyun), beryl is a deep blue-green color. Under the official regulations of the Tang dynasty, officials of the eighth and ninth ranks wore beryl-colored clothing instead of blue-green. Furthermore, according to the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), the Bamboo Annals (Zhushu Jinian) record that in the seventh year of King Huicheng, it rained beryl in Ying. Also, according to the Saving People Scripture (Duren Jing) and its commentary on the azure heavens, the first heaven of the east is filled with blue-green clouds; this is what is called the azure heavens. Also a surname. During the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty, there was an instructor named Bitan.