Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Chai Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 1297, Entry 11 Pronounced chai. Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Single-component Characters and Analyzing Compound Characters): A type of hair ornament. It was originally written only as the character for fork, with the current character added by later generations. Yupian (Jade Chapters): A forked hair ornament worn by women. Sima Xiangru, Beauty Rhapsody: A jade hairpin hangs upon my cap. Qin Jia, Letter to Wife Xu Shu: I am now presenting a pair of precious hairpins to adorn your hair. Cao Zhi, Beauty Rhapsody: Wearing a gold sparrow hairpin upon the head. Also, gold hairpin shank is the name of a medicinal substance. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu): Li Shizhen states that the dendrobium plant resembles a gold hairpin, hence its name. It is also known as honeysuckle vine and can neutralize toxins. It is also referred to as gold hairpin shank. Also, rhymes with zhi, pronounced chi. Fan Qin, Poem on Settling Affections: What shall be used to console the sorrow of parting, if not the tortoiseshell hairpin behind the ear? Also, rhymes with chu, pronounced chu. Book of Odes (Shijing), Commentary and Sub-commentary: One intends to purchase red ochre, but finds yellow earth beneath the stove. One intends to purchase a hairpin, but finds the bush-wood within the mountain.