Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) Hong Kangxi Dictionary strokes: 12 Page 1331, Entry 06 Pronounced hong Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters): An alley gate. Composed of Gate and the phonetic element for arm, which also carries the meaning. Erya (Approaching Elegance): The gate of an alley is called a hong. Commentary: Hong refers to the top of an alley gate. Zuo Zhuan (Chronicle of Zuo): Riding a carriage to enter the alley gate. Commentary: Alley gate. Zuo Zhuan: To heighten the walls and gates. Commentary: Hong means gate. Zuo Zhuan: Ordered Hua Qi to drive for Gongmeng, with Zong Lu as the third rider, reaching the center of the gate. Commentary: Hong refers to the space within a curved gate. Also refers to the heavenly gate. Hanshu (History of the Han): Ascending through the nine gates of heaven. Commentary: The nine hongs are the nine gates of the heavenly realm. Guangyun (Broad Rhyme): A long stake beside a gate door. Erya: That which holds a door in place is called a hong. Commentary: Hong is a long stake, which is a door stopper. Zuo Zhuan: According to the commentary on gates and walls: it is also said that that which stops a door is called a hong. Guangyun: A surname. Book of Documents (Shujing): There was the case of Hong Yao. Commentary: The Hong clan, a younger brother of King Wen. Name of a person. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): Luo Xia Hong calculated and moved the calendar. Commentary: Yao states that according to the Yidu Qijiu Zhuan (Biographies of Elders of Yidu), Hong’s courtesy name was Chang Gong, who was well-versed in astronomy and lived in seclusion at Luoxia. Pronounced hong Hongkuo: Deep and vast. A space that is wide in the middle is called hong. Book of Rites (Liji): Its vessel is round and wide. Commentary: Read as hong. Hong means wide in the middle, symbolizing the earth containing all things. Han Yu: Expansive within, unrestrained without. Empty and vast. Zhuangzi: Wandering through the void, greatly knowing others yet not knowing its limits. Commentary: Hong means the state of being empty and vast. Solid and beautiful. Yangzi: Great circles, solid and beautiful. Commentary: Honghong conveys a sense of solidity and beauty. Jiyun (Collection of Rhymes): Also means great. Chu Ci (Songs of the South): The mountain is steep and boundless, subsequently pressing upon the body with great depth. Commentary: Zeng means layered; hong means great. Jiyun: Pronounced hong. Same meaning.