Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Dagger-axe (gē) Kangxi stroke count: 8 Page 412, Entry 14 Pronounced zan. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to harm. According to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun), it means to wound. Two dagger-axe symbols superimposed represent the image of violent injury. It is commonly used as a variant of the character for ruin or destruction (cán). Also pronounced jian. The reduplicated form, jian jian, signifies something shallow or small. From the Book of Changes (Yijing), Hexagram of Adornment (Bì Guà): Bundles of silk are small and humble. Also pronounced jin. From the Liu Mengyang Inscription: With father and son, there follow ruler and minister; by managing wealth and rectifying speech, bundles of silk are small and humble. Also pronounced chan. Meaning to pound and injure. Also pronounced wan. The meaning is the same. Also pronounced jian. Meaning small or sparse. Also pronounced jian. Meaning narrow. From the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Officials, Bow Maker: When the leather is tight, it tears first, thus what is broad becomes narrow. Commentary: Zheng says, read as the jian in the character for sheepskin. Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) gives the pronunciation as jian. Also pronounced shan. Meaning to harm. Also pronounced pian. Meaning narrow and few. According to Liu Changzong. The original graph is composed of the radical for death or evil and the radical for hand. Textual research: In the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Winter Officials, Bow Maker, the text reads: When the leather is tight, it tears first, thus what is broad becomes [a variant form]. Corrected according to the original text to read as the variant form (jiān).