Chou Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Earth (tǔ). Kangxi stroke count: 14. Page 236, Entry 38. Ancient form of the character for dust. Pronounced zhen. The Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui), and Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun) all record the pronunciation as zhen, which is the same as the sound for the word to state. The meaning is dust or dirt. The Literary Expositor (Erya), Explanation of Words (Shigu) defines it as long-lasting. This refers to dust and grime that has accumulated over a long period. Book of Odes (Shijing), Minor Odes of the Kingdom (Xiaoya): Do not push that great carriage, you will only cover yourself in dust. History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Biography of Ban Gu: Contains the phrase, The Lord of Wind sweeps away the dust. Record of Forgotten Tales (Shiyiji): Records that Shi Hu built a tower forty fathoms high and ground exotic fragrances into powder; when the wind blew, he would scatter it, calling it fragrant dust. Record of Strange Things from Lingnan (Lingnan Biaoyilu): Records that when using rhinoceros horn for hairpins and combs, dust does not stick to the hair; this is called dust-repelling rhinoceros. Also, flickering eyes are referred to as wandering dust, found in the Preface to the Guliang Commentary (Guliang Xu Shu). There is also bright window dust, which is a type of cinnabar, a name for a medicine. Li Bai, Poem on Creating the Great Return (Caochuang Dahuan Shi): Contains the line, Resembling the bright window dust. Also, Buddhist Texts (Fanshu), Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment (Yuanjuejing) states: Roots and dust are both illusory. Note: The explanation of roots and dust refers to the six sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) and the external environments (form, sound, scent, taste, touch, phenomena) to which they correspond. Also, Biographies of Exemplary Immortals (Liexian Zhuan) records: Magu said to Wang Fangping, I have seen the Eastern Sea turn into mulberry fields three times; now the waters of Penglai are becoming shallow again, I fear that dust will soon be kicked up once more. There is also the surname Chen, found in the Unified Genealogies (Tongpu). Also, the rhyming pronunciation is lian, same as the sound for the word market. Ban Biao, Northern Expedition Rhapsody (Beizheng Fu): Contains the line, Suddenly I stop to rest, watering my horses at the Huan Spring. The morning dew gradually dampens my carriage canopy, and my robes are dimmed, covered in dust.