Wei Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Bamboo (zhú) Bian Kangxi strokes: 24 Page 905, Entry 01 Pronounced bian A bamboo vessel for food. Book of Filial Piety: Explaining Vessels (Erya): A bamboo vessel called a bian. Commentary: The bian is made of bamboo, with edges wrapped in rattan. It is shaped like a dou vessel and holds four liters. It is used to store foods such as dates, chestnuts, peaches, plums, water caltrops, fox nuts, dried meat, jerky, fish, salted fish, dry rations, and cakes, and is used during sacrifices and banquets. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Bin (Binfeng): The bian and dou vessels are arranged in an orderly fashion. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Ceremony of Capping the Gentleman (Shiguanli): The fine wine is fragrant, and the bian and dou vessels are displayed in order. Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), Year 6 of Duke Zhao: Ji Sun Su went to the State of Jin; the Marquis of Jin hosted a banquet for him and increased the number of bian vessels. Note: The number of bian and dou vessels was greater than the usual etiquette required. Also a title of a government official. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Officers of Heaven (Tianguan): The officer of bian is held by one eunuch, with ten female bian attendants. Commentary: Female bian attendants are female servants familiar with the affairs of the bian vessels.