You Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Shellfish (bèi). Kangxi stroke count: 7. Page 1204, Entry 01. Pronounced bo gai (falling tone). Pronounced bo. Piya (Explanatory Dictionary of Animals and Plants): The shellfish is named for its back; therefore, it is called a shellfish. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): A shelled animal found in the sea. In ancient times, shellfish were used as currency, and turtle shells were considered treasures. During the Zhou Dynasty, coin currency began to appear, and by the Qin Dynasty, shellfish currency was abolished in favor of standard metal coins. Erya (Approaching Elegance), section on fish: Shellfish found on land are called biao, those in water are called dian, large ones are called hang, and small ones are called. Commentary: Large shellfish resemble the giant clam, and there are also small shellfish that are purple. Furthermore: There is a type called yuyi, which has a yellow background with white patterns. Commentary: Yellow serves as the base, and white markings act as the spots. Furthermore: There is a type called yuquan, which has a white background with yellow patterns. Commentary: White serves as the base, and yellow markings act as the spots; this is the modern purple shellfish. Furthermore: There is a type called ba, which is wide with a protruding center and pointed ends. Commentary: Kui refers to something wide in the middle with pointed ends. Furthermore: There is a type called kui, which is large and has thin edges. Commentary: Xian refers to things with thin edges and poor texture. Sub-commentary: This distinguishes between shellfish on land and in water, as well as their sizes and varying patterns and colors. Xiangbei Jing (Classic of Evaluating Shellfish): Zhu Zhong obtained this book from Qin Gao and presented it to the Governor of Kuaiji, Yan Zhu. The book generally states: Shellfish reaching one foot in size, shaped like red lightning with black clouds, are called purple shellfish. Those with red backgrounds and red patterns are called pearl shellfish. Those with blue backgrounds and green patterns are called ribbon shellfish. Those with black patterns and yellow designs are called rosy shellfish. Inferior to these are the floating shellfish, the washing shellfish, the pure shellfish, and the wise shellfish. Furthermore, Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): The Yu River in the Yin Mountains contains many patterned shellfish, and the Meng River in the Gui Mountains contains many yellow shellfish. Classic of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram Zhen: Losing a large amount of shellfish currency. Commentary: Shellfish represent assets and provisions. Book of Documents (Shangshu), Chapter Pan Geng: Prepare your shellfish and jade. Sub-commentary: Shellfish are aquatic animals. The ancients took their shells and used them as currency, just as money is used today. Furthermore, Chapter Guming: Large shellfish (offered as tribute). Commentary: Large shellfish resemble the giant clam. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Chapter on the Balance of Standards: The paths of trade for farmers, artisans, and merchants became unobstructed; thus, currencies such as turtle shells, shellfish, gold coins, knife money, and silk fabrics began to circulate. Commentary: The Treatise on Food and Money records units of ten peng and five shellfish, both used as currency with varying values. Two shellfish constitute one peng; thus, the value is two hundred and sixteen. It also refers to a type of brocade. Book of Documents (Shangshu), Chapter Yu Gong: That basket contains woven shellfish. Sub-commentary: Shellfish is the name of a type of brocade. Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes: Patterns are intertwined, woven into this shellfish-patterned brocade. It also refers to a musical instrument. Zhengzitong (Comprehensive Dictionary of Characters): Brahma shell (a type of conch horn). Large ones can hold several liters and are among the largest of the spiral shells. Ethnic groups in the south blow them to keep rhythm. It also refers to ornamentation. Book of Odes (Shijing), Eulogies of Lu: A helmet decorated with shellfish, joined with red threads. Commentary: A shell helmet is a helmet decorated with shellfish. Sub-commentary: Shells have patterns; therefore, they are used for decoration. It also refers to a prefecture name. Guangyun (Broad Rhymes): The Zhou Dynasty established Bei Prefecture, named after Beiqiu. It also refers to a surname. Yupian (Jade Chapters): The Bei clan, originating from Beiqiu in Qinghe. The Surname Garden (Xingyuan) records: In ancient times, there was a virtuous man named Bei Duzuo; during the Tang Dynasty, there was Bei Tao. Furthermore, according to Zheng Yun (Standard Rhymes): Pronounced bang mei (falling tone). The meaning is the same. Furthermore, according to Jiyun (Collective Rhymes): The ancient form of the character for defeat (bai) is written as shellfish (bei). For detailed annotations, see the section on the Radical: Knock (pū), seven strokes.