Yin Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Bow (gōng) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 360, Entry 03 Ancient characters. Pronounced dan (falling tone). Jade Chapters (Yupian): To shoot a pellet. Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue (Wuyue Chunqiu): The slingshot originated from the filial sons of antiquity. Filial sons could not bear to see their parents eaten by wild beasts, so they made slingshots to guard them. Li You, Inscription on the Slingshot (Tan Ming): In the past, the slingshot was invented based on the concept of using stringed wood. A bamboo composite bow is used to launch pellets. Also, pellet, a metaphor for something narrow and small. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Yu Qing: This is a place as small as a pellet. Also, ghost pellet. Commentary on the Water Classic (Shuijing Zhu): Along the rivers north of Yongchang Commandery, the miasma is particularly foul. Within the miasma, there is something of invisible form. When it moves, it makes a sound. If it strikes a tree, the tree breaks; if it strikes a person, the person is harmed. It is called the ghost pellet. Also, pronounced tan (level tone). Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): To launch. Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): Using a slingshot to launch pellets. Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), Year 2 of Duke Xuan: Duke Ling of Jin would shoot people with a slingshot from a high terrace to watch them dodge the pellets. Also, to strike or tap. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Lord Mengchang: Feng Huan tapped his sword and sang. Also, to play or pluck with fingers. Qu Yuan, The Fisherman (Yufu): One who has just washed his hair must flick the dust off his hat. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of the Five Emperors: Shun played the five-stringed zither. Also, to correct. Expanded Rhymes (Zengyun): To impeach or expose. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Offices, Commentary on Local Overseers: The office of street inspection. Subcommentary: During the Han dynasty, stations were set up on the streets to investigate and correct the behavior of the people within one neighborhood. Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Biography of Shi Bi: Provincial officials dared not investigate or impeach. Also, to sway or shake. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Offices, Record of Tradesmen: Hooked weapons like daggers and halberds should not sway. Commentary: Hooked weapons refer to arms such as daggers and halberds. The term tan refers to swaying. Also, tanqi (a board game). Western Capital Miscellaneous Records (Xijing Zaji): Emperor Cheng of Han loved football, but his ministers considered it exhausting. The emperor said: You may choose activities that are similar but not exhausting and report them to me. Liu Xiang’s father created the game of tanqi and presented it. Also, rhyming with tian (level tone). Lu Ji, Essay on Literature (Wenfue): One must inquire of all physical manifestations, and all audible sounds must be played. Some vibrate the leaves along the branches; some trace the waves back to their source. Also, the character for a springy motion.