Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) 茨 Kangxi stroke count: 12 Page 1028, Entry 13 Pronounced zi. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Writing and Analysis of Characters): To use cogon grass to thatch a roof. Shiming (Explanation of Names): The word ci means sequence, referring to the practice of laying grass in order to cover a roof. Book of Documents (Shangshu), Chapter on Timber for Artisans (Zicai): Only to plaster walls and thatch roofs with grass. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Ministry of Summer, Groom Official (Yushi): To thatch walls and repair door panels. Zhuangzi, Chapter on Yielding the Throne (Rangwang): Yuan Xian lived in the state of Lu in a house with earthen walls and a roof thatched with fresh grass. Also refers to a plant. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Yong (Yongfeng): On the wall grows the ci. Commentary: Refers to the puncture vine (tribulus terrestris). Erya, Explanation of Plants (Shicao): Ci is the puncture vine. Commentary: A creeping plant that spreads across the ground; its leaves are small and its fruit has three horns which can prick people. Also, according to Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang (Youyang Zazu): In the Shazhou region, ci-qi (a type of brushwood) is used to feed horses. Also, according to Guangya (Expanded Erya): Means to accumulate or to gather. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Lesser Omen (Xiaoya): The crops of the great-grandson are piled as high as roofs and sorghum heads. Also refers to a mountain. Zhuangzi, Chapter on Xu Wugui: The Yellow Emperor traveled to Mount Juci to visit Da Wei. Also a surname. Book of the Later Han (Houhan Shu), Biography of Wei Sa: Ci Chong, a man from Nanyang, succeeded Wei Sa as the Governor of Guiyang.