Chen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Tree (mù) Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 532, Entry 20 Pronounced ji (rising tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Characters): Small jujube trees growing in thickets. Shigu (Classic Annotations): The thorny jujube resembles a jujube tree but has many thorns; the wood is hard, reddish in color, and grows in clusters. People often use it for hedges. When old, it loses its thorns and can grow as tall as a jujube tree. White-wooded types are called white thorns; those with sour fruit are called er-thorns, also known as sour jujube. Book of Odes (Shijing), Beifeng: Blowing on the heart of the thorny jujube. Commentary: The thorny jujube is a tree that is difficult to cultivate. Erya, Explaining Trees: The zhongniu thorny jujube. Note: This is the horse-thorn; its thorns are thick and long. Also refers to a place where prisoners were detained, known as the thorn thicket. Book of Changes (Yijing), Kan Hexagram: Bound with ropes and placed within the thorn thickets. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 8th year of Duke Ai: The Viscount of Zhu was without virtue; the Viscount of Wu imprisoned him in a tower and surrounded it with thorny wood. Nine Thorns refers to the outer court. Book of Rites (Liji), Royal Regulations: The historiographer reports the case results to the magistrate, who then reviews them. The magistrate reports the results to the Minister of Justice, who adjudicates the case beneath the thorn trees. Note: The nine thorns on the left are the positions for the dukes, ministers, and high officials. The nine thorns on the right are for the counts, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons. Also interchangeable with the character meaning halberd (ji). Book of Rites (Liji), Hall of Distinction: Yueji, a great bow; it is a weapon of the Son of Heaven. Zuo Tradition (Zuo Zhuan), 11th year of Duke Yin: Ying Kaoshu carried the chariot pole while running, and Zidou drew his halberd to chase him. Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Officers of Heaven, Masters of Shelters: The note on the Thorn Gate states that halberds are used as gates. Also a place name. Chuiji and Chiji were locations in the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. Also a medicinal name. Materia Medica (Bencao): Asparagus, also called heavenly thorn. Also jihou, a bird name. Jia Kui says: Jihou, also known as qiedan, is a bird that chases other birds away from fruit. Also interchangeable with the term bo (for the Western barbarians). Book of Rites (Liji), Royal Regulations: Among the four barbarian tribes, those in the west are called Bo. Also a surname. Analects (Lunyu): Jizicheng. Pronounced ji (falling tone). Pronounced ji (falling tone). The meaning is the same.