Zi Collection, Page Position: Lower Radical: Knife (dāo) Entry: fēn Kangxi strokes: 4 Page 136, Entry 04 Pronounced fēn. In the Explanation of Chinese Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to distinguish. It is composed of eight and knife, indicating that a knife is used to separate things. In the Book of Changes (Yijing), section on Appended Judgments: Things are grouped and distinguished. Also, in the Expanded Rhymes (Zengyun): to split or cut open. Also, in the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): to bestow or give. Also, in the Expanded Rhymes (Zengyun): to provide or give to. Also, in the Jade Chapters (Yupian): to separate or isolate. Also, in the History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Han Shu), treatise on harmonics and calendrics: The width of a single millet grain is one fen. Fen is the accumulation of the extremely minute into something distinct that can be separated. Also, one half. In the Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Gongyang Zhuan), second year of Duke Zhuang: The losses of the army amounted to one half. In the Xunzi, chapter on Confucius: Using half of the Qi state as an offering is still insufficient. Also, to distribute or share. In the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuozhuan), first year of Duke Ai: Distribute cooked food to the people, and only then dare to eat oneself. Also, interchangeable with the character meaning confused or numerous (fēn). In the Xunzi, chapter on the Efficacy of the Learned: Orderly and having both a beginning and an end. In the Huainanzi, chapter on the Principles of Miscellaneous Sayings: The emergence of calamity is due to confusion. Commentary: The repeated character is the same as the word for confused or numerous. Also, in the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), chapter on the Offices of Heaven: To await the non-standard distributions of the state. Commentary: The term for non-standard is read as fen. Pronounced fèn (falling tone). Social status or rank. In the Classic of Rites (Liji), chapter on the Evolution of Rites: When ritual systems are implemented, social ranks are determined. Also, equal distribution or quantity. In the Classic of Rites (Liji), chapter on the Summary of Rules of Propriety: In distribution, do not covet an excess. Also, duty or personal responsibility. In the Memorial on the Expedition (Chushi Biao) by Zhuge Liang of the Han: This is the duty by which I repay the former emperor and exhaust my loyalty to your majesty. Pronounced fèn (falling tone). To distribute equally. In the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuozhuan), first year of Duke Xi: To relieve distress and share in the calamities. Pronounced fěn (rising tone). In the Er Ya, chapter on the Explanation of Vessels: A pitch pipe is called a fen. Commentary: Read as fen, referring to the pitch pipes used to distinguish the solar terms. Pronounced fēng. In the Seven Stimuli (Qi Qi) by Cao Zhi: At the beginning of the Great Ultimate, the chaos had not yet separated. All things were mingled and disordered, rising together with the Great Way. Pronounced biàn. In the Western Capital Rhapsody (Xidu Fu) by Ban Gu: The various markets open, with goods arranged in rows by category. People cannot turn around, and carriages cannot turn back.