Yin Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Bow (gōng) Kangxi strokes: 8 Page 358, Entry 01 Pronounced chao Explaining Characters (Shuowen): A bow bending in the opposite direction. Regional Dialects (Fangyan): That which turns upward is called chao. Jade Chapter (Yupian): The appearance of a bow being unstrung. Book of Odes (Shijing): The red bows are unstrung. Commentary: Chao refers to the appearance of being unstrung. Sub-commentary: Chao means the bow bends back, referring to the state of unstringing when the frame curves in the opposite direction. Also, Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): A name for a bow. Han Yu: Poems Sent to Cui the Twenty-Sixth: The great bow hangs on the wall, how can it be bent? Also, Collection of Rhymes (Yunhui): Pronounced zhao. Also, Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun): Pronounced chao (rising tone). Same meaning. Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): Also written as a variant form.