Xu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Rain (yǔ) Fei Kangxi Strokes: 16 Page 1375, Entry 19 Ancient form. Pronounced fei. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it describes the appearance of rain and snow. It is composed of the radical for rain with fei as the phonetic component. According to the Compilation of Rhymes (Jiyun), it describes the appearance of dense fog. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Beifeng section: The rain and snow are falling in abundance. The commentary states: Fei describes the appearance of heavy rain and snow. Also in the Lesser Odes (Xiaoya) section: Rain and snow are falling in abundance.