Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Eye (mù) Entry: fa Kangxi stroke count: 14 Page 813, Entry 12 Pronounced fa. According to the Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to a shield. According to the Regional Speech (Fangyan) by Yangzi, east of the pass it is called gan, or sometimes fa. West of the pass, it is called dun. In the Zhou Documents from the Jizhu Tomb (Jizhu Zhoushu), it requests shields made of shark skin and sharp swords as tribute. In the Western Capital Rhapsody (Xijing Fu) by Zhang Heng, long spears are erected and shields are hung to guard against unexpected events. It is also used interchangeably with fa. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Qin Wind section, it mentions covered shields with varied colors. The commentary states that fa refers to the central shield, and is another name for a shield. The Jade Chapter (Yupian) cites the Book of Odes (Shijing) using the character for fa. The Explaining and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) notes it is formed from the shield radical with fa providing the sound. The vulgar form is written with the shield radical and the character ba, which is incorrect.