Wu Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Arrow (shǐ) Hou Kangxi strokes: 9 Page 824, Entry 05 Pronounced hou The same as the character for lord. According to the Etymological Dictionary (Shuowen), it refers to the arrow target used during the archery rites held in the spring. The character structure consists of person and the radical for top, resembling an unfurled cloth target with an arrow placed beneath it. The Son of Heaven used a target featuring a bear, tiger, and leopard to symbolize the subjugation of ferocity. Feudal lords used a target featuring a bear, wild boar, and tiger. High officials used a target featuring an elk, as the elk is considered a confusing creature. Scholars and officials used a target featuring a deer and wild boar to clear the fields of pests. The prayer recited during archery says: Do not be like the restless feudal lords who fail to pay court to the Son of Heaven; therefore, I raise my arrow to shoot you. Further explanations can be found in the Person radical, seven-stroke section. In the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is sometimes written in a variant form composed of the towel radical and this character.