Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Standing (lì) Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 872, Entry 32 Written in archaic script as a variant form (duān). Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Meetings (Yunhui), and Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun) indicate pronunciation as duan (level tone); read the same as the variant form (duān). Explanation from Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi): Straight, meaning upright. Book of Rites (Liji), Record of Ceremonies (Quli): Shake the book and keep the book straight before the ruler. Note: Duan means to be upright. Book of Rites (Liji), Jade Lustre (Yuzao): The expression of the eyes is upright. History of the Han Dynasty (Hanshu), Biography of Jia Yi: Select the upright scholars of the world, those who are filial, fraternal, widely learned, and possess moral arts, to guard and assist him. Also, Collection of Writings (Pianhai) defines it as: Sprout, beginning, primary. Book of Rites (Liji), The Transmission of Rites (Liyun): Humanity is the heart of heaven and earth, and the beginning of the five phases. Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Gongyang Zhuan), First Year of Duke Yin: Linked to the beginning of heaven. Commentary: The beginning of heaven means spring. The Discourses on the Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu Shuo) state: Use the profundity of primordial energy to rectify the beginning of heaven. Use the beginning of heaven to rectify the governance of the king. Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuo Zhuan), First Year of Duke Wen: The correctness of the former kings lies in timing; walk the beginning at the start. Commentary: Walking means calculating; this refers to calculating the start of the calendar to serve as the beginning of the calendar. Mencius: The heart of compassion is the beginning of benevolence. Note: Duan means beginning. Everyone has the beginning of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom, which can be guided and developed. Also, Broad Rhymes (Guangyun) defines it as: Clue, rank. Yang Xiong’s Dialects (Fangyan) states: In some parts of Southern Chu, a clue is called duan. Also, Augmented Rhymes (Zengyun) defines it as: To inspect. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguoce): Xie Ci replied to Zhi Bo: The rulers of Han and Wei watch the movements of Ci and then act quickly. Also, defined as: Single-minded. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguoce): Dare to express one’s wish single-mindedly. Note: Duan is like being single-minded. Also, a unit of fabric is called a duan. Commentary on the Book of Rites (Liji Shushen) states: A bundle of silk is ten duan. One zhang and eight feet make one duan. Lesser Erya (Xiao Erya) states: Two zhang make one duan, two duan make one liang, and two liang make one pi. Also, Book of Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Spring Offices: Among the sacrificial garments are the black duan and the plain duan. Zheng Sinong’s note: Garments with an upper jacket and lower skirt are called duan. Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Guliang Zhuan), Third Year of Duke Xi: Duke Huan wore the duan robe and tucked his tablet into his belt to address the feudal lords. Note: Duan is the ceremonial robe. Commentary: Its color is black, and its form is a straight width without diagonal cutting, hence it is called duan. Also, a place name. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) states: From Hao Mountain, the Duan River originates and flows east into the Yellow River. Also, states in the shifting sands include Dun-duan and Xi. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Zhao: Divided the Jin state with Han and Wei, and enfeoffed the Jin ruler with Duan Shi. Note: Duan Shi is a county in Zezhou. Geography Gazetteer of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu) states that Cangwu Commandery has the Duan Creek. Also, a surname. Confucius’s disciple was Duanmu Ci. Also, the name of a palace gate. History of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Biography of Huang Qiong: When appointing officials, first test them at the government office, then re-examine them at the Duan Gate. Note: Duan Gate is the south gate of the Taiwei Palace. Also, the name of a beast. History of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Biographies of the Xianbei: Beasts different from those in the Middle Kingdom include wild horses, original sheep, and the jiaoduan cattle; their horns are used for bows, commonly called jiaoduan bows. Also, Orthodox Rhymes (Zhengyun) indicates pronunciation as chuan; same as the variant form (chuǎn). Xunzi, Exhortation to Learning: Speak in a soft voice. Note: Duan is read as chuan. Chuan means to speak in a soft voice. Also, Rhyme Meeting Minor Supplements (Yunhui Xiaobu) indicates pronunciation as mian; same as the variant form (miǎn). This is a ceremonial cap worn by grandees and above. Book of Rites (Liji), Jade Lustre (Yuzao): The feudal lords wear the black duan for sacrifices, and the Son of Heaven wears the black duan for court audiences, at the outside of the east gate. Note: Here, the character duan is read as mian. Also, Rhyme Supplements (Yunbu) rhyme variant pronunciation as duan (level tone). Lu Ji, Rhapsody on Literature (Wenfu): Empty the clear heart to focus the thoughts, and gaze upon the multitude of concerns to create language. Enclose heaven and earth within the form, and weigh the ten thousand things at the tip of the brush. Also, rhyme variant pronunciation as duan (level tone). Yang Xi, Eulogy for Qin Zichi: Zhengfang received the command, and heard of the later order. Not aligned, creating this strange beginning. Verification: Book of Rites (Liji), Monthly Ordinances (Yueling): "The feudal lords wear the black duan for sacrifices, and the Son of Heaven wears the black duan for court audiences, at the outside of the east gate." Based on the original text, "Monthly Ordinances" (Yueling) has been corrected to "Jade Lustre" (Yuzao).