Si Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Dog (quǎn)
Entry: Bian
Kangxi strokes: 13
Page 715, Entry 19
Pronounced bian. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen jiezi), it is a type of otter. Formed from the radical for dog and the phonetic element bian. A variant is written as bian. In the Strategies of Military Training chapter of the Huainan Masters (Huainanzi), it states: those who raise fish in ponds must remove the otters.
Also pronounced pian. According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it is a type of otter. Additionally, in the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it refers to a bianju, which is a type of ape. One source defines it as a non-class creature, referring to male and female. Note: the text Zhuangzi writes this as bian-dan. See the detailed note under the character dan.
Also pronounced pin. According to the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it is a type of otter.
Also pronounced bin. Originally written as bian. The meaning is the same.
Also pronounced fei. According to the Five Sounds Collected Rhymes (Wuyin jiyun), it is a bianju, the name of a beast that resembles an ape but has a dog's head.
Also pronounced pian. The meaning is the same.