Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) 閡 Kangxi Dictionary strokes: 14 Page 1333, Entry 01 Pronounced ai (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): To close from the outside. Derived from the radical for gate, with hai as the phonetic component, conveying the meaning. Yupian (Jade Chapters): To stop. Book of Changes (Yijing), commentary on the Meng hexagram: To retreat is to be trapped by danger; to advance is to be blocked by mountains. Commentary: The Kan trigram is below the Gen trigram, signifying danger beneath a mountain. Fearing that one cannot advance or retreat, one remains in a state of ignorance. Also, commentary on the Zhongfu hexagram: Desiring to advance but blocked by the enemy, therefore there is the beating of drums. Zuo Si, Ode to the Capital of Wu (Wudu Fu): Cold and heat are separated and blocked by the walls. Commentary: The pronunciation of this term is given as ai. Baopuzi (Master Who Embraces Simplicity), Renming Chapter: To study without thinking results in a multitude of doubts and obstructions. Also, Guangpi Chapter: The reason the divine phoenix rises at dawn from the Cinnabar Cave and gathers at dusk on the Xuan Hill, traveling across nine layers of heaven before the sun has moved its shadow, treading upon clouds and wind without obstruction, is due to the lightness and strength of its wings. Also, Liezi, Yellow Emperor Chapter: Those who are in harmony become unified with all things, and no thing can harm or obstruct them; they may roam through metal and stone or tread upon water and fire, as all things are possible. Commentary: The pronunciation is given as ai. Also, pronounced hai. To store or obstruct. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Treatise on Harmonics and Calendars: It stores all things, and the various yang elements hide their seeds. Commentary: Meng Kang states: To store or obstruct. Also, pronounced gai. The meaning is the same. Also, pronounced he. To obstruct. Also, pronounced kai. To open. Also, rhyming variant pronounced gai. History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qian Hanshu), Hymns for the Sacrifices to Heaven and Earth: Exerting my will, I depart for the nine gates, swirling and floating beyond the six boundaries of the vast sea. Commentary: Rhyming variant pronounced gai.