Xu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Metal (jīn)
Gang
Kangxi Strokes: 11
Page 1297, Entry 03
Pronounced jiang.
Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) states: The iron inside the hub of a wheel.
Guangya states: A hub-iron is called a gang. Iron in the wheel hub is referred to as gang by those living west of the Hangu Pass.
Shiming states: Gang means empty, referring to the fact that it is hollow inside.
Also, Guangya defines it as a lamp.
Xie Tiao poem: I only wish to set out a goblet of wine, while the orchid-scented lamp glows through the night. Note: The metal gang is not a lamp; it is a mistaken usage by the poet. Further notes are provided below.
Pronounced gong.
Ban Gu, Western Capital Rhapsody (Xidu Fu): Gold rings inlaid with jade, these are rows of coins.
History of the Former Han (Qianhan Shu), Biography of Empress Zhao: The wall belts were often adorned with gold gang.
Commentary: Wall belts are the horizontal timbers of a wall that protrude like a belt. Within these wall belts, gold was often used to create gang, shaped like a wheel hub iron. Jin Zhuo stated: They are decorative gold rings. Gang is pronounced gong; the popular pronunciation as jiang is incorrect.
Yunhui states: The common people call gold gang a lamp, pronounced gang. Also written as the character for jar (gang), but the meaning, sound, and strokes are all incorrect.
Also, the tip of an arrow.
Shiming: Those living west of the pass call it gang.
Pronounced gong.
Iron for a wheel hub. Another definition is a lamp.