Yin Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Roof (bù)
Character: huan
Kangxi strokes: 16
Page 292, Entry 17
Pronounced huan. According to the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the territory within the imperial domain. It is also the name of a prefecture, located in the outer reaches of the Hedong region. According to the Standard Character Compendium (Zhengzitong), it refers to the surrounding walls of a palace. According to the Extensive Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun), it is a variant form of the character for county (xian). In the Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals of Guliang (Guliang Zhuan), it is noted that the feudal lords within the imperial domain are the huan, where huan is the ancient character for county. It also has an alternative pronunciation as wan. In the poems of Bai Juyi regarding Wuzhen Temple, it is written that one may hear the name but cannot reach the place, as it is a realm outside the human world, which also contains a piece of stone as large as a square brick. The original form of the character is huan, which is composed of the radical for roof and the phonetic component huan.