Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Ear (ěr) 聅 Kangxi stroke count: 11 Page 966, Entry 23 Pronounced che. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the military law of piercing the ear with an arrow. Composed of the radicals for ear and arrow. The Methods of Sima (Sima Fa) states: for a minor crime, the ear is pierced; for a medium crime, the feet are severed; for a major crime, the throat is slit. Also, pronounced tan. Also, pronounced zhuai. The meaning is the same.