Hai Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Wheat (mài)
Entry: 麷
Kangxi strokes: 29
Page 1514, Entry 55
Pronounced feng. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to cooked wheat. In the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), section on the Officials of Heaven, specifically the role of the fruit and grain servers: The offerings for the morning rites consist of cooked wheat and hemp seeds. The commentary states: Cooked wheat is wheat that has been stir-fried until done; in the regions north of Hejian, people currently boil wheat seeds to sell, and this is called cooked wheat. In the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), section on the duties of officials: The cooked wheat and hemp seeds are set on mats to the west of the beans, arranged in the outer row, with the cooked wheat placed to the east. In the Book of Xunzi (Xunzi), section on enriching the state: Taking that which is about to be cast aside like discarded wheat chaff. Also, pronounced fen. Also, pronounced peng. The meaning is the same in all cases.